Modified polyphenol binder compositions and methods for making and using same

ABSTRACT

Modified polyphenol binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the binder composition can include at least one unsaturated monomer and at least one polyphenolic compound. The polyphenolic compound can include a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any mixture thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/880,726, filed on Oct. 12, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/040,796, filed on Sep. 30, 2013, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,157,016, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/708,388, filed on Oct. 1, 2012, all of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments described herein generally relate to modified polyphenolbinder compositions and methods for making and using same. Moreparticularly, such embodiments relate to modified polyphenol bindercompositions for making composite lignocellulose containing products.

Description of the Related Art

The production of lignocellulose containing products requires anadhesive or binder to bond the discrete, particulates, fibers, veneers,or other substrates to one another. Typical lignocellulose containingcomposite products include particleboard, fiberboard, plywood, and thelike. Conventional binders used in the production of these productsfrequently contain formaldehyde based resins such as urea-formaldehyde(“UF”), melamine-formaldehyde (“MF”), and phenol-formaldehyde (“PF”)binders. While these formaldehyde based resins produce finished productshaving desirable properties, such as strength, these binders alsorelease formaldehyde into the environment during the production of thebinder, curing of the binder/lignocellulose containing product, as wellas, from the final product made using the binder.

Various techniques have been used to reduce the amount of formaldehydereleased from formaldehyde based resins. For example, the addition offormaldehyde scavengers to the resin and/or various modifications to theparticular synthesis steps used to make the formaldehyde based resin,such as the addition of urea as a reactant late in the binder synthesis,are often used in an attempt to reduce formaldehyde emission. Theseattempts to reduce formaldehyde emission, however, are accompanied withundesirable effects such as longer cure time, reduced resin shelf-life,reduced product strength, reduced tolerance for processing variations,and/or inferior moisture resistance.

There is a need, therefore, for improved binder compositions for makingcomposite lignocellulose containing products having reduced or noformaldehyde emission.

SUMMARY

Modified polyphenol binder compositions and methods for making and usingsame are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the bindercomposition can include at least one unsaturated monomer and at leastone polyphenolic compound. The polyphenolic compound can include alignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol a, humic acid, or any mixture thereof.

In at least one specific embodiment, a method for preparing a compositeproduct can include contacting a plurality of lignocellulose substrateswith a binder composition. The binder composition can include at leastone unsaturated monomer and at least one polyphenolic compound. Thepolyphenolic compound can include a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, amodified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, or anymixture thereof. The method can also include at least partially curingthe binder composition to produce a composite lignocellulose-containingproduct.

In at least one specific embodiment, a composite product can include aplurality of lignocellulose substrates and an at least partially curedbinder composition. The binder composition, prior to at least partiallycuring, can include at least one unsaturated monomer and at least onepolyphenolic compound. The polyphenolic compound can include a lignin, atannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any mixture thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The binder composition can be or include a mixture of at least oneunsaturated monomer and at least one polyphenolic compound. The bindercomposition can be or include a reaction product between at least oneunsaturated monomer and at least one polyphenolic compound. Illustrativepolyphenolic compounds can include, but are not limited to, one or morelignins, one or more tannins, one or more novolac resins, one or moremodified phenol formaldehyde resins, bis-phenol A, humic acid, anymixture thereof, and/or any combination thereof. Said another way, thebinder composition can be produced by combining and/or at leastpartially reacting the one or more unsaturated monomers with the one ormore polyphenolic compounds. Any suitable unsaturated monomer orcombination of unsaturated monomers can be used to produce the bindercompositions discussed and described herein. Preferably the unsaturatedmonomers are nonionic. Illustrative unsaturated monomers can include,but are not limited to, one or more unsaturated glycidyl ethers, one ormore unsaturated glycidyl esters, one or more unsaturated mono-epoxides,one or more unsaturated methylol compounds, maleic anhydride, or anycombination thereof.

Illustrative unsaturated glycidyl ethers can be represented by thegeneral Formula (I):

where R can be an ethylenically unsaturated radical such as vinyl,allyl, alkenyl, and the like. Suitable glycidyl ethers can include, butare not limited to, vinyl glycidyl ether, isopropenyl glycidyl ether,oleyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, p-vinylbenzyl glycidylether, o-allyl phenyl glycidyl ether, butenyl glycidyl ether,4-vinylcyclohexyl glycidyl ether, abietylglycidyl ether,cyclohexenylmethyl glycidyl ether, methallyl glycidyl ether, or anycombination thereof.

Illustrative unsaturated glycidyl esters can be represented by thegeneral Formula (II):

where R can be an unsaturated, unsubstituted alkyl radical having fromtwo to 19 carbon atoms. Suitable glycidyl esters can include, but arenot limited to, glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, glycidylcrotonate, glycidyl oleate, di-glycidyl maleate, di-glycidyl fumarate,or any combination thereof.

Illustrative unsaturated mono-epoxides can include, but are not limitedto, linear or cycloaliphatic epoxy compounds, where the unsaturation isterminal. Suitable unsaturated mono-epoxides can be represented by thegeneral Formula (III):

where R can be a single bond or an alkylene optionally containing alkylpendant groups; R¹, R², and R³ can independently be hydrogen, alkylstraight, branched or cyclic, or any two of R¹, R², or R³ can bealkylene and combined to form a 5 to 12 carbon cyclic ring, optionallycontaining alkyl pendants; and the number of carbon atoms in R, R¹, R²,and R³ can be such that the total number of carbon atoms in the epoxideis from 4 to 50. Suitable unsaturated mono-epoxides can include, but arenot limited to, 4-vinyl cyclohexene oxide, 1-methyl-4-isopropenylcyclohexene monoxide, butadiene monoxide, or any combination thereof.

Illustrative unsaturated methylol compounds can be represented by thegeneral Formula (IV):

where R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ can independently be hydrogen or a hydrocarbylgroup, e.g., an alkyl group, containing from about 1 to about 6 carbonatoms. For example, an alkyl group can include from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.In at least one example, R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ can each independently bemethyl or hydrogen. Suitable unsaturated methylol compounds can include,but are not limited to, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide, N-methylol crotonamide, or any combination thereof. TheN-methylol ethylenically unsaturated amide can be in the form of anaqueous solution.

In one or more embodiments, the unsaturated monomer can be free from anyaromatic rings. Said another way, in at least one embodiment, theunsaturated monomer does not contain an aromatic ring. In one or moreembodiments, the unsaturated monomer and the polyphenolic compound canbe different compounds with respect to one another. Said another way,the unsaturated monomer and the polyphenolic compound are not the samecompound. In at least one embodiment, the unsaturated monomer caninclude at least one unsaturated glycidyl ether. In at least oneembodiment, the unsaturated monomer can include at least one unsaturatedglycidyl ester. In at least one embodiment, the unsaturated monomer caninclude at least one unsaturated mono-epoxide. In at least oneembodiment, the unsaturated monomer can include at least one unsaturatedmethylol compound. In at least one embodiment, the unsaturated monomercan include maleic anhydride.

In at least one example, the binder composition can be free oressentially free of any anionic monomers. For example, the bindercomposition can contain less than about 3 wt %, less than about 2.5 wt%, less than about 2 wt %, less than about 1.5 wt %, less than about 1wt %, less than about 0.7 wt %, less than about 0.5 wt %, less thanabout 0.3 wt %, less than about 0.1 wt %, less than about 0.05 wt %, orless than about 0.01 wt % anionic monomers. In at least one example, thebinder composition can be free or essentially free of any ionicmonomers. For example, the binder composition can contain less thanabout 3 wt %, less than about 2.5 wt %, less than about 2 wt %, lessthan about 1.5 wt %, less than about 1 wt %, less than about 0.7 wt %,less than about 0.5 wt %, less than about 0.3 wt %, less than about 0.1wt %, less than about 0.05 wt %, or less than about 0.01 wt % ionicmonomers. In at least one other example the binder composition can befree or essentially free of any anionic and ionic monomers. For example,the binder composition can contain less than about 3 wt %, less thanabout 2.5 wt %, less than about 2 wt %, less than about 1.5 wt %, lessthan about 1 wt %, less than about 0.7 wt %, less than about 0.5 wt %,less than about 0.3 wt %, less than about 0.1 wt %, less than about 0.05wt %, or less than about 0.01 wt % anionic and ionic monomers. As usedherein, the terms “essentially free of anionic monomers” and“essentially free of ionic monomers” means the binder composition doesnot include any intentionally added anionic monomers or ionic monomers,respectively. Said another way, the terms “essentially free of anionicmonomers” and “essentially free of ionic monomers” means the bindercomposition does not contain anionic monomers or ionic monomers,respectively, but may include anionic monomers and/or ionic monomerspresent as an impurity.

As used herein, the term “tannin” refers to both hydrolyzable tanninsand condensed tannins. As such, the binder composition can includehydrolyzable tannins, condensed tannins, or a combination ofhydrolyzable tannins and condensed tannins. Illustrative genera ofshrubs and/or trees from which suitable tannins can be derived caninclude, but are not limited to, Acacia, Castanea, Vachellia, Senegalia,Terminalia, Phyllanthus, Caesalpinia, Quercus, Schinopsis, Tsuga, Rhus,Juglans, Carya, and Pinus, or any combination thereof. In anotherexample, genera from which suitable tannins can be derived can include,but are not limited to, Schinopsis, Acacia, or a combination thereof. Inanother example, genera from which suitable tannins can be derived caninclude, but are not limited to, Pinus, Carya, or a combination thereof.

Hydrolyzable tannins are mixtures of simple phenols such as pyrogalloland ellagic acid and of esters of a sugar, e.g., glucose, with gallicand digallic acids. Illustrative hydrolyzable tannins can include, butare not limited to, extracts recovered from Castanea sativa, (e.g.,chestnut), Terminalia and Phyllantus (e.g., myrabalans tree species),Caesalpinia coriaria (e.g., divi-divi), Caesalpinia spinosa, (e.g.,tara), algarobilla, valonea, and Quercus (e.g., oak). Condensed tanninsare polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. Condensed tanninscan be linear or branched molecules. Illustrative condensed tannins caninclude, but are not limited to Acacia mearnsii (e.g., wattle or mimosabark extract), Schinopsis (e.g., quebracho wood extract), Tsuga (e.g.,hemlock bark extract), Rhus (e.g., sumach extract), Juglans (e.g.,walnut), Carya illinoinensis (e.g., pecan), and Pinus (e.g., Radiatapine, Maritime pine, bark extract species).

The condensed tannins typically include about 70 wt % to about 80 wt %active phenolic ingredients (the “tannin fraction”) and the remainingingredients (the “non-tannin fraction”) typically include, but are notlimited to, carbohydrates, hydrocolloid gums, and amino and/or iminoacid fractions. The condensed tannins can be used as recovered orextracted from the organic matter or the condensed tannins can bepurified, e.g., about 95 wt % or more active phenolic ingredients.Hydrolyzable tannins and condensed tannins can be extracted from thestarting material, e.g., trees and/or shrubs, using well establishedprocesses. A more detailed discussion of tannins is discussed anddescribed in the Handbook of Adhesive Technology, Second Edition, CRCPress, 2003, chapter 27, “Natural Phenolic Adhesives I: Tannin,” and inMonomers, Polymers and Composites from Renewable Resources, Elsevier,2008, chapter 8, “Tannins: Major Sources, Properties and Applications.”

The condensed tannins can be classified or grouped into one of two maincategories, namely, those containing a resorcinol unit and thosecontaining a phloroglucinol unit. Illustrative tannins that include theresorcinol unit include, but are not limited to, black wattle tanninsand quebracho tannins. The resorcinol unit can be represented by FormulaV below.

The resorcinol group is shown within the box overlaying the unitstructure of black wattle and quebracho tannins in Formula VI below. Forsimplicity, the structure of black wattle and quebracho tannins isrepresented by their flavonoid unit structure.

Illustrative tannins that include the phloroglucinol unit include, butare not limited to, pecan tannins and pine tannins. The phloroglucinolunit can be represented by Formula VII below.

The phloroglucinol unit is shown within the box overlaying the unitstructure of pecan and pine tannins in Formula VIII below. Forsimplicity, the structure of pecan and pine tannins is represented bytheir flavonoid unit structure.

Phloroglucinol is known for higher reactivity than resorcinol. As such,tannins that include the phloroglucinol unit are more reactive thantannins that include the resorcinol unit.

The tannins can have an acidic pH. For example, the pH of the tanninscan be from a low of about 3, about 3.5, or about 4 to a high of about5, about 5.5, about 6, or about 6.5. The tannins can have resorcinoland/or phloroglucinol functional groups. Suitable, commerciallyavailable tannins can include, but are not limited to, black wattletannin, quebracho tannin, hemlock tannin, sumach tannins, pecan tannin,mimosa tannin, pine tannins, or any combination thereof.

If the binder composition includes a mixture of two different tannins,the two tannins can be present in any ratio with respect to one another.For example, a binder composition that includes a first tannin and asecond tannin, where the first and second tannins are different from oneanother, can have a concentration of the first tannin from about 1 wt %to about 99 wt % and conversely about 99 wt % to about 1 wt % of thesecond tannin, based on the combined weight of the first and secondtannins. In another example, the amount of the first tannin in a bindercomposition that includes a first and second tannin can be from a low ofabout 1 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 20 wt %,about 25 wt % about 30 wt %, about 35 wt %, about 40 wt %, or about 45wt % to a high of about 60 wt %, about 65 wt %, about 70 wt %, about 75wt %, about 80 wt %, about 85 wt %, about 90 wt %, about 95 wt %, orabout 99 wt %, based on the combined weight of the first and secondtannins. The binder composition can include any number of differenttannins with the different tannins present in any desired amount. Itshould be appreciated that if the binder composition includes two ormore unsaturated monomers, two or more lignins, two more novolac resins,two or more modified phenol formaldehyde resins, and/or two or morehumic acids, they can be present in the same or similar amounts withrespect to one another as the first and second tannin. For example, ifthe binder composition includes a first and second unsaturated monomer,the concentration of the first unsaturated monomer can be from about 1wt % to about 99 wt % and conversely about 99 wt % to about 1 wt % ofthe second unsaturated monomer, based on the combined weight of thefirst and second unsaturated monomer. As such, the amount of the firstunsaturated monomer in a binder composition that includes a first andsecond unsaturated monomer can be from a low of about 1 wt %, about 5 wt%, about 10 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 25 wt % about 30wt %, about 35 wt %, about 40 wt %, or about 45 wt % to a high of about60 wt %, about 65 wt %, about 70 wt %, about 75 wt %, about 80 wt %,about 85 wt %, about 90 wt %, about 95 wt %, or about 99 wt %, based onthe combined weight of the first and second unsaturated monomers.

The lignin is a polymeric substance that can include substitutedaromatics found in plant and vegetable matter associated with celluloseand other plant constituents. Illustrative plant and vegetable mattercan include, but is not limited to, straw, hemp, sisal, cotton stalk,wheat, bamboo, sabai grass, rice straw, banana leaves, paper mulberry(i.e., bast fiber), abaca leaves, pineapple leaves, esparto grassleaves, fibers from the genus Hesperaloe in the family Agavaceae jute,salt water reeds, palm fronds, flax, ground nut shells, hardwoods,softwoods, recycled fiberboards such as high density fiberboard, mediumdensity fiberboard, low density fiberboard, oriented strand board,particleboard, or any combination thereof. For example, the plant mattercan be or include wood, for example hardwoods, softwoods, or acombination thereof. Illustrative types of wood can include, but are notlimited to, alder, ash, aspen, basswood, beech, birch, cedar, cherry,cottonwood, cypress, elm, fir, gum, hackberry, hickory, maple, oak,pecan, pine, poplar, redwood, sassafras, spruce, sycamore, walnut, andwillow.

The lignin can be extracted or otherwise recovered from the plant and/orvegetable matter using any suitable process or combination of processes.For example, in the pulp and paper industry, lignin-containing materialssuch as wood, straw, corn stalks, bagasse, and other vegetable and planttissues are processed to recover the cellulose or pulp. As such, theresidual pulping liquors that include the lignin as a by-product can bea source of lignin. There can be variation in the chemical structure oflignin. The variation in the chemical structure of lignin can depend, atleast in part, on the particular plant from which the lignin isrecovered from, location the plant was grown, and/or on the particularmethod used in recovery or isolation of the lignin from the plant and/orvegetable matter. Lignin can include active groups, such as activehydrogens and/or phenolic hydroxyl groups through which crosslinking orbridging can be effected.

Since the lignin separated from the plant may be chemically alteredsomewhat from that found in the plant, the term “lignin,” can also referto lignin products obtained upon separation from the cellulose orrecovered from the plant matter. For example, in a sulfite pulpingprocess, the lignocellulose material can be digested with a bisulfite orsulfite resulting in the at least partial sulfonation of the lignin. Assuch, the lignin can optionally be subjected to further cleavage ormodifications such as alkaline treatment or reaction with otherconstituents to decrease the sulfonate or sulfur content and/or increasethe active groups. For example, the lignin can be processed such that ithas a phenolic hydroxyl content from about 1.5 wt % to about 5 wt % andless than about 3 wt % sulfonate sulfur. In other methods of recovery orseparation of lignin from plant tissue, the lignin may not besulfonated, but could be chemically altered somewhat in some othermanner. For example, in residual pulping liquors obtained in sulfate orother alkaline pulping processes, the lignin can be present as an alkalimetal salt dissolved in the alkaline aqueous liquor and can generallyinclude a sufficient phenolic hydroxyl content to require no furthermodification. However, the alkali or kraft lignin can be further reactedwith other constituents to further increase the active groups.“Hydrolysis lignin” that can be recovered from the hydrolysis oflignocellulose materials in the manufacture of sugar, for example, canalso be altered somewhat from that found in the plant. As suchhydrolysis lignin can be further modified to solubilize the lignin aswell as to increase the phenolic hydroxyl content. Also, the ligninproducts such as residual pulping liquor may be subjected to varioustreatments such as, for example, acid, alkaline or heat treatments orreacted with the other chemicals which may further alter somewhat thelignin constituents.

The residual pulping liquors or the lignin products produced in theseparation or recovery of lignin from the plant matter can includelignin of various molecular weights ranging form about 300 to over100,000. The liquors from which the lignin can be recovered can alsoinclude one or more other constituents in addition to the lignin. Forexample, in the sulfite pulping process, the spent sulfite liquor caninclude lignosulfonates that can be present as salts of cations, such asmagnesium, calcium, ammonium, sodium and/or other cations. The spentsulfite liquor solids can include about 40 wt % to about 65 wt %lignosulfonates with the remainder being carbohydrates and other organicand inorganic constituents dissolved in the liquor. Lignin productsproduced by other pulping processes can also include other materialssuch as carbohydrates, degradation products of carbohydrates, andresinous materials which are separated from the cellulosic materialswith the lignin. It should be noted that it is not necessary to separatethe lignin from the other constituents that can be present.

Suitable lignin material can include, but is not limited to, lignin inits native or natural state, i.e., non-modified or unaltered lignin,lignosulfonates, or any combination or mixture thereof. Suitablelignosulfonates can include, but are not limited to, ammoniumlignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, calcium lignosulfonate, magnesiumlignosulfonate, or any combination or mixture thereof.

Suitable processes for isolating or otherwise separating lignin orlignin containing products form wood, plant, vegetable, or other lignincontaining matter can include those discussed and described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,856,567; 2,525,433; 2,680,113; 2,690,973; 3,094,515; 3,158,520;3,503,762; 3,585,104; 3,726,850; 3,769,272; 3,841,887; 4,100,016;4,131,564; 4,184,845; 4,308,203; 4,355,996; 4,470,876; 4,740,591; and4,764,596; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.: 2011/0294991; andWO Publication Nos. WO1992/018557A1, WO1993/021260A2; WO1994/024192A1;WO02005/062800A2; WO02006/031 175 A1; and WO2011/150508. Commerciallyavailable lignin can include, but is not limited to, lignosulfonatesavailable from Tembec (Canada).

The novolac resin can be produced by reacting a phenol component with analdehyde component or aldehyde compound(s) in the presence of an acidcatalyst. The phenol component of the novolac resin can include avariety of substituted phenolic compounds, unsubstituted phenoliccompounds, or any combination of substituted and/or unsubstitutedphenolic compounds. For example, the phenol component can be phenolitself, i.e., mono-hydroxy benzene. Examples of substituted phenols caninclude, but are not limited to, alkyl-substituted phenols such as thecresols and xylenols; cycloalkyl-substituted phenols such as cyclohexylphenol; alkenyl-substituted phenols; aryl-substituted phenols such asp-phenyl phenol; alkoxy-substituted phenols such as3,5-dimethyoxyphenol; aryloxy phenols such as p-phenoxy phenol; andhalogen-substituted phenols such as p-chlorophenol. Dihydric phenolssuch as catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, bis-phenol A and bis-phenolF also can also be used. Specific examples of suitable phenoliccompounds (phenol components) for replacing a portion or all of thephenol used in preparing a novolac resin can include, but are notlimited to, bis-phenol A, bis-phenol F, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol,3,5-5 xylenol, 3,4-xylenol, 3,4,5-trimethylphenol, 3-ethyl phenol,3,5-diethyl phenol, p-butyl phenol, 3,5-dibutyl phenol, p-amyl phenol,p-cyclohexyl phenol, p-octyl phenol, 3,5 dicyclohexyl phenol, p-phenylphenol, p-phenol, 3,5-dimethoxy phenol, 3,4,5 trimethoxy phenol,p-ethoxy phenol, p-butoxy phenol, 3-methyl-4-methoxy phenol, p-phenoxyphenol, naphthol, anthranol and substituted derivatives thereof.Preferably, about 80 wt % or more, about 90 wt % or more, or about 95 wt% or more of the phenol component includes phenol (mono-hydroxybenzene).

Illustrative aldehyde compounds can include the so-called maskedaldehydes or aldehyde equivalents, such as acetals or hemiacetals.Suitable aldehydes can be represented by the general Formula R′CHO,where R′ is a hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical generally having 1-8carbon atoms. Specific examples of suitable aldehyde compounds caninclude, but are not limited to, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde,propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, furfuraldehyde, benzaldehyde, or anycombination thereof. As used herein, the term “formaldehyde” can referto formaldehyde, formaldehyde derivatives, other aldehydes, orcombinations thereof. Preferably, the aldehyde component isformaldehyde. One or more difunctional aldehydes can also be used toproduce the novolac resin, and could advantageously be used to introducecross-links ultimately into the at least partially cured bindercomposition.

The aldehyde can be used in many forms such as solid, liquid, and/orgas. Considering formaldehyde in particular, the formaldehyde can be orinclude paraform (solid, polymerized formaldehyde), formalin solutions(aqueous solutions of formaldehyde, sometimes with methanol, in 37percent, 44 percent, or 50 percent formaldehyde concentrations),Urea-Formaldehyde Concentrate (“UFC”), and/or formaldehyde gas in lieuof or in addition to other forms of formaldehyde can also be used. Inanother example, the aldehyde can be or include a pre-reactedurea-formaldehyde mixture having a urea to formaldehyde weight ratio ofabout 1:2 to about 1:3.

A molar ratio of formaldehyde to phenol used to produce the novolacresin can be from about 0.5 to about 0.95 or more preferably from about0.7 to about 0.85. The reaction between the phenol and the formaldehydeto produce the novolac resin can be carried out in the presence of anacid catalyst under acidic conditions. Suitable acid catalysts caninclude, but are not limited to, oxalic acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, salicylic acid, mineral acids andsalts thereof, or any combination thereof. Mixed catalyst systems, suchas ZnOAc/oxalic acid and other divalent metal compounds, e.g., acetates,can be used to prepare “high-ortho” novolac resins. Divalent metalcompounds can include Ca, Mg, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, CO, and Ni. Preferredcatalysts include oxalic acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid,and ZnOAc/oxalic acid. Most preferably, the catalyst is oxalic acid orZnOAc/oxalic acid.

The amount of acid catalyst used to produce the novolac resin can besufficient to catalyze the reaction between the phenol and formaldehydeto produce the novolac resin. The phenol/formaldehyde reaction can beconducted in about 1 to about 6 hours, e.g., in about 2 to about 4hours. The phenol/formaldehyde reaction can be carried out at atemperature from about 80° C. to about 100° C., e.g., about 95° C. toabout 100° C. The reaction can be carried out at atmospheric pressure,although increased pressure can be utilized to permit the application ofhigher temperatures and, therefore, faster reaction rates andaccordingly shorter reaction times.

The novolac resin can be treated to remove water and/or other volatileorganic materials by heating, such as by distillation. After thistreatment, the free phenol can be about 0.001% to about 2.0%, preferablyabout 0.001% to about 0.5%. Distillation of the resulting novolac resincan be performed at atmospheric pressure by heating up to about 140° C.,and then under a vacuum until the resin reaches a temperature of about180° C. to about 220° C. Other suitable methods for treating the resinvia heat can include thin-film evaporators. The resulting molten novolacresin can be cooled to a temperature below about 100° C.

If desired, the novolac resin can be neutralized. Neutralization of thenovolac resin can be accomplished by the addition of one or more basesor base compounds, such as sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide,or its equivalent. The base compound can be added in an amountsufficient to raise the pH of the novolac resin to between about 5 toabout 9, e.g., about 6 to about 8. Typically, about 10 wt % to about 30wt % of water, based on the total resin solids, can be added. Suitablenovolac resins and inverted novolac resins can be as discussed anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,571 and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2008/0280787.

Illustrative modified phenol formaldehyde resins can include ARYLZENE®,which can be represented by the general Formula IX:

Other illustrative modified phenol formaldehyde resins can be or includethose discussed and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,674,970; 5,739,259;5,756,642; 5,756,655; 5,770,750; 5,773,552; 5,837,798; 5,889,137;6,166,151; 6,291,077; 6,399,740; and 6,569,953.

Humic acid can be represented by the general Formula X:

where R is independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, oran aralkyl. The structure of humic acid is not fully known orunderstood. Additional discussion on humic acid can be found in E. M.Pe{hacek over (n)}a-Méndez, J. Pato{hacek over (c)}a, J. Havel, “Humicsubstances—compounds of still unknown structure: applications inagriculture, industry, environment, and biomedicine” (Review), J. Appl.Biomed. 2004. Further discussion on humic acid can include thereferences referred to in the E. M. Pe{hacek over (n)}a-Méndez et al.article such as Stenson et al., “Copper: Ionization and fragmentation ofhumic substances in electrospray ionization Fourier transform-ioncyclotron resonance mass spectrometry,” Anal. Chem. 74: 4397.4409, 2002;Stenson et al., “Copper: Exact masses and chemical formulas ofindividual suwannee river fulvic acids from ultrahigh resolution ESIFT-ICR mass spectra,” Anal. Chem. 75: 1275.1284, 2003; Kujawinski etal., “High resolution fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance massspectrometry of humic and fulvic acids: improvements and comparisons,”Anal. Chem. 74: 413.419, 2002a; Kujawinski et al., “The application ofelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry to the structuralcharacterization of natural organic matter,” Org. Geochem. 33: 171.180,2002b; Pokorná et al., “Characterization of humic acids by capillaryzone electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption ionisationtime of flight mass spectrometry,” In Ghabbour E. A. and G. Davies(eds.): Understanding Humic Substances: Advanced Methods, Properties andApplications. RSC, Cambridge 1999; Brown et al., “Effect of experimentalparameters on the ESI FT-ICR mass spectrum of fulvic acid,” Anal. Chem.72:384.390, 2000; and Gajdo{hacek over (s)}ová et al. “Mass spectrometryand capillary electrophoresis analysis of Coal Derived Humic AcidsProduced from Oxyhumolite. A comparative Study,” Humic Substances.Versatile components of plants, soils and water (E. A. Ghabbour, G.Davies, Eds), The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Cambridge 2000.;Pokorná et al., “Analysis and characterization of a ‘Standard’ coalderived Humic Acid, Humic Substances,” in: Versatile components ofplants, soils and water (E. A. Ghabbour, G. Davies, Eds), The RoyalSociety of Chemistry (RSC), Cambridge 2000.

The polyphenolic compound can be combined with a liquid medium.Illustrative liquid mediums can include, but are not limited to, water,alcohols, glycols, acetonitrile, or any combination thereof. Suitablealcohols can include, but are not limited to, methanol, ethanol,propanol, butanol, or any combination thereof. Suitable glycols caninclude, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or acombination thereof. As used herein, the terms “aqueous medium” and“aqueous liquid” can be or include water and/or mixtures composed ofwater and/or other water-miscible solvents. Illustrative water-misciblesolvents can include, but are not limited to, alcohols, ethers, amines,other polar aprotic solvents, and the like. The tannin, lignin, and/ornovolac resin, if combined with a liquid medium, can have a solidsconcentration from a low of about 1 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 10 wt %,about 20 wt %, or about 30 wt % to a high of about 60 wt %, about 70 wt%, about 80 wt %, about 90 wt %, about 95 wt %, or about 99 wt %. Forexample, the tannin, lignin, and/or novolac resin mixture, if combinedwith a liquid medium, can have a solids concentration from about 10 wt %to about 70 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 50 wt %, or about 5 wt % toabout 60 wt %.

As used herein, the solids content of the polyphenolic compound, asunderstood by those skilled in the art, can be measured by determiningthe weight loss upon heating a small sample, e.g., 1-5 grams of thelignin, tannin, and/or novolac resin, to a suitable temperature, e.g.,125° C., and a time sufficient to remove any liquid combined therewith.By measuring the weight of the sample before and after heating, thepercent solids in the sample can be directly calculated or otherwiseestimated.

An exemplary reaction between glycidyl methacrylate and tannin can berepresented by the following equation (equation I) showing the formationof an illustrative modified tannin.

An exemplary reaction between allyl-glycidyl ether and tannin can berepresented by the following equation (equation II) showing theformation of an illustrative modified tannin.

The at least partial reaction between the unsaturated monomer and thelignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any combination thereof to produce thebinder composition can be carried out under any suitable processconditions. As used herein, the term “reaction mixture” can refer to themixture of the one or more unsaturated monomers mixed, blended, orotherwise combined with at least one of the lignin, tannin, novolacresin, modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid. Thereaction product of the unsaturated monomer and the lignin, tannin,and/or novolac can also be referred to as a modified lignin, modifiedtannin, modified novolac resin. The at least partial reaction betweenthe unsaturated monomer and the lignin, tannin, novolac resin, or anycombination thereof can form one or more new covalent bonds between theunsaturated monomer and the lignin, tannin, novolac resin, or anycombination thereof.

The amount of the unsaturated monomer in the reaction mixture can widelyvary. For example, the amount of the unsaturated monomer in the reactionmixture can be from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %, based on the solidsweight of the polyphenolic compound. In another example, amount of theunsaturated monomer in the reaction mixture can be from a low of about0.05 wt %, about 0.1 wt %, about 0.5 wt %, about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %,about 3 wt %, about 5 wt %, or about 10 wt % to a high of about 20 wt %,about 30 wt %, about 40 wt %, or about 50 wt %, based on the solidsweight of the polyphenolic compound. In another example, the amount ofthe unsaturated monomer in the reaction mixture can be from a low ofabout 0.1 wt %, about 0.3 wt %, about 0.5 wt %, about 0.7 wt %, or about1 wt % to a high of about 3 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8.5wt %, or about 10 wt %, based on the solids weight of the polyphenoliccompound. In another example, the amount of the unsaturated monomer inthe reaction mixture can be from a low of about 10 wt %, about 15 wt %,about 20 wt %, or about 25 wt % to a high of about 30 wt %, about 35 wt%, about 40 wt %, or about 45 wt %, based on the solids weight of thepolyphenolic compound. In another example, the amount of the unsaturatedmonomer in the reaction mixture can be from about 1 wt % to about 8 wt%, about 0.2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 9 wt %, about3.5 wt % to about 7.5 wt %, or about 4 wt % to about 8.5 wt %, based onthe solids weight of the polyphenolic compound. In another example, theamount of the unsaturated monomer in the reaction mixture can be fromabout 1 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 1.5 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 2 wt% to about 2.5 wt %, or about 1.8 wt % to about 2.4 wt %, based on thesolids weight of the polyphenolic compound. In another example, theamount of the unsaturated monomer in the reaction mixture can be atleast 1 wt %, at least 3 wt %, at least 5 wt %, at least 7 wt %, atleast 10 wt %, at least 12 wt %, at least 15 wt %, at least 17 wt %, atleast 20 wt %, at least 23 wt %, at least 25 wt %, at least 28 wt %, atleast 30 wt %, at least 33 wt %, or at least 35 wt % and up to about 40wt %, about 45 wt %, or about 50 wt %, based on the solids weight of thepolyphenolic compound. In another example, the amount of the unsaturatedmonomer in the reaction mixture can be less than 50 wt %, less than 45wt %, less than 40 wt %, less than 35 wt %, less than 30 wt %, less than25 wt %, less than 20 wt %, less than 15 wt %, or less than 12 wt % andgreater than about 0.1 wt % greater than about 0.5 wt %, greater thanabout 1 wt %, greater than about 2 wt %, greater than about 3 wt %,greater than about 5 wt %, or greater than about 7 wt %, based on thesolids weight of the polyphenolic compound. In one or more embodiments,a weight ratio between the unsaturated monomer and the polyphenoliccompound, on a solids basis, can be from a low of about 0.001:100, about0.01:1,000, about 0.1:100, about 1:800, about 1:500, about 1:300, about1:150, about 1:100, about 1:90, or about 1:80 to a high of about 1:70,about 1:50, about 1:40, about 1:30, about 1:20, about 1:10, about 1:5,about 1:3, or about 1:2. For example, the weight ratio of theunsaturated monomer to the polyphenolic compound, on a solids basis, canbe from about 1:1000 to about 1:2, about 1:200 to about 1:3, about 1:2to about 1:15, about 1:5 to about 1:100, about 1:10 to about 1:75, about1:50 to about 1:500, about 1:8 to about 1:15, about 1:7 to about 1:20,or about 1:6 to about 1:25.

The temperature of the reaction mixture during the reaction can be froma low of about 0° C., about 10° C., about 20° C., about 25° C., or about35° C. to a high of about 80° C., about 90° C., about 100° C., about125° C., or about 150° C. For example, the reaction mixture can beheated to a temperature of about 30° C. to about 95° C., about 50° C. toabout 70° C., about 45° C. to about 85° C., or about 55° C. to about115° C. The reaction can be carried out under a vacuum, at atmosphericpressure, or at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Forexample, the reaction can be carried out at a pressure from a low ofabout 25 kPa, about 50 kPa, about 75 kPa, or about atmospheric pressureto a high of about 150 kPa, about 500 kPa, about 1,000 kPa, or about2,000 kPa.

The components of the binder composition, i.e., the unsaturated monomerand at least one of the lignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, can be at least partiallyreacted in any device, system, apparatus, or combination of devices,systems, and/or apparatus. For example, the components of the bindercomposition can be mixed, blended, or other wise combined with oneanother and allowed to at least partially react to produce the bindercomposition. Illustrative mixing, blending, or other combining device,system, apparatus, or combination thereof, which can be referred to as“mixing equipment,” can include, but is not limited to, mechanical mixeragitation, ejectors, static mixers, mechanical/power mixers, shearmixers, sonic mixers, or combinations thereof. One or more heatingjackets, heating coils, internal heating elements, cooling jacks,cooling coils, internal cooling elements, or the like, can be used toadjust or otherwise control the temperature of the reaction mixture. Thereaction of components of the binder composition can be carried out inan open vessel and/or an enclosed vessel.

The pH of the reaction mixture can be acidic, neutral, or basic. Forexample, the pH of the reaction mixture can be from a low of about 2,about 4, or about 6 to a high of about 8, about 10, or about 12. Assuch, the binder composition can have a pH from a low of about 2, about4, or about 6 to a high of about 8, about 10, or about 12. The pH of thebinder composition can be adjusted to any desired pH by adding one ormore base compounds or one or more acid compounds thereto. Theunsaturated monomer and the lignin, tannin, and/or novolac resin can bereacted with one another for a time from a low of about 5 minutes, about15 minutes, or about 30 minutes to a high of about 1 hour, about 2hours, about 3 hours, or about 5, for example.

Illustrative base compounds that can be used to adjust the pH of thereaction mixture and/or the binder composition can include, but are notlimited to, hydroxides, carbonates, ammonia, amines, amides, or anycombination thereof. Illustrative hydroxides can include, but are notlimited to, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide(e.g., aqueous ammonia), lithium hydroxide, and cesium hydroxide.Illustrative carbonates can include, but are not limited to, sodiumcarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, and ammoniumcarbonate. Illustrative amines can include, but are not limited to,trimethylamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, diisopropylethylamine(Hunig's base), pyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO).

Illustrative acid compounds that can be used to adjust the pH of thereaction mixture and/or the binder composition can include, but are notlimited to, one or more mineral acids, one or more organic acids, one ormore acid salts, or any combination thereof. Illustrative mineral acidscan include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid,phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, or any combination thereof. Illustrativeorganic acids can include, but are not limited to, acetic acid, formicacid, citric acid, oxalic acid, uric acid, lactic acid, or anycombination thereof. Illustrative acid salts can include, but are notlimited to, ammonium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydrosulfide,sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, or any combination thereof.

The binder composition produced by at least partially reacting theunsaturated monomer with the polyphenolic compound mixed with a liquidmedium can have a total concentration of solids from about 1 wt % toabout 99 wt %, based on the combined weight of the tannin, lignin,novolac resin, unsaturated monomer, and liquid medium. In other words,the binder composition can have a solids content of about 100 wt % or ifcombined with a liquid medium anywhere from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt%. For example, the binder composition can have a solids content ofabout 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 20wt % to about 60 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 80 wt %, about 45 wt % toabout 95 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 27wt %, about 13 wt % to about 33 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 85 wt %,about 60 wt % to about 85 wt %, or about 65 wt % to about 95 wt %. Inone or more embodiments, the binder composition can have a waterconcentration from a low of about 1 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 10 wt %,about 15 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 25 wt %, about 30 wt %, about 35 wt%, about 40 wt %, about 45 wt %, about 50 wt %, or about 55 wt % to ahigh of about 60 wt %, about 65 wt %, about 70 wt %, about 75 wt %, orabout 80 wt %, based on a solids weight of the polyphenolic compound.

The binder composition can have a viscosity form a low of about 100centipoise (“cP”), about 500 cP, about 1,000 cP, or about 1,500 cP to ahigh of about 3,000 cP, about 5,000 cP, about 8,500 cP, or about 10,000cP. Preferably the viscosity of the binder composition is less thanabout 10,000 cP, less than about 8,000 cP, less than about 6,500 cP, orless than about 5,000 cP. The binder composition can be determined usinga Brookfield Viscometer at a temperature of 25° C.

The binder compositions discussed and described herein can be used inthe production or preparation of a variety of composite lignocellulosecontaining products. For example, the binder composition can be appliedto a plurality of lignocellulose substrates that can be formed into adesired shape before or after application of the binder composition, andthe binder composition can be at least partially cured to produce acomposite product. The lignocellulose substrates can include any one ormore of the plant and vegetable materials discussed and described abovewith reference to the source for the lignin. As used herein, the term“lignocellulose” refers to a material that includes lignin, cellulose,hemicelluose, or any combination thereof.

The starting material, from which the substrates can be derived from,can be shaped, reduced, or otherwise formed to the appropriatedimensions by various processes such as hogging, grinding, hammermilling, tearing, shredding, and/or flaking. Other processes forproducing the substrates can include skiving, cutting, slicing, and/orsawing. Suitable forms of the lignocellulose substrates can include, butare not limited to, chips, flakes, wafers, fibers, shavings, sawdust ordust, veneer, or the like. Other suitable lignocellulose substrates caninclude, but are not limited to, wood chips, wood fibers, wood flakes,wood strands, wood wafers, wood shavings, wood particles, wood veneer,or any combination thereof.

The particular configuration of the substrates can be based, at least inpart, on the desired product. For example, particulates such as chips,fibers, shavings, sawdust or dust, or the like can be preferred forproducing particleboards, fiberboards, and the like. The particulatescan have a length from a low of about 0.05 mm, about 0.1 mm, about 0.2mm to a high of about 1 mm, about 5 mm, about 10 mm, about 20 mm, about30 mm, about 40 mm, about 50 mm, or about 100 mm. In another example,veneers, i.e., layers or sheets of wood, can be used for producingplywood, laminated veneer lumber, and the like. The veneers can have athickness from a low of about 0.8 mm, about 0.9 mm, about 1 mm, about1.1 mm or about 1.2 mm to a high of about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm,about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, or about 10 mm.

The lignocellulose substrates can include liquid on, about, and/orwithin the substrates. For example, the lignocellulose substrates canhave a moisture concentration from a low of about 1 wt % to a high ofabout 170 wt %, based on a dry weight of the lignocellulose substrate.The lignocellulose substrates can be fresh, i.e., not treated or dried,or dried and/or treated. For example, the lignocellulose substratesand/or the starting material from which the lignocellulose substrateswere derived can be at least partially dried. In another example, thelignocellulose substrates can be washed and/or leached with an aqueousmedium such as water.

Illustrative composite products that can be produced with the bindercompositions discussed and described herein can include, but are notlimited to, particleboard, fiberboard such as medium density fiberboard(“MDF”) and/or high density fiberboard (“HDF”), plywood such as hardwoodplywood and/or softwood plywood, oriented strand board (“OSB”),laminated veneer lumber (“LVL”), laminated veneer boards (“LVB”),engineered wood flooring, and the like. The binder compositions can alsobe used to bond or otherwise join two or more pieces of lumber toproduce a finished product such as wood doors, wood furniture, and thelike.

The lignocellulose substrate can be at least partially oxidized prior tocontact with the binder composition and/or after contact with the bindercomposition. The lignocellulose substrates and/or the starting materialsfrom which the lignocellulose substrates can be derived can be contactedwith one or more oxidants to produce an oxidized lignocellulosesubstrate. For example, the lignocellulose substrates and/or thestarting material can be contacted with one or more oxidants underconditions sufficient to at least partially oxidize the lignin presentin the lignocellulose substrate. In another example, the lignocellulosesubstrates and/or the starting material can be contacted with one ormore oxidants under conditions sufficient to at least partially oxidizethe lignin present in the lignocellulose substrates. In another example,the lignocellulose substrates can be at least partially oxidized aftermixing, blending, or otherwise contacting the lignocellulose substrateswith the binder composition. For example, the lignocellulose substratescan be at least partially oxidized when the mixture is heated and/orpressed to produce the composite product.

Partially oxidizing at least a portion of the lignocellulose substratescan increase the number of free radicals in the lignocellulosesubstrates. Increasing the number of free radicals in the lignocellulosesubstrates can improve the crosslinking reactions between thelignocellulose substrates and/or between the lignocellulose substratesand the binder composition. The oxidation of the lignocellulosesubstrates can be sufficient for water soluble reaction products withbinding properties to form.

Any suitable oxidant or combination of oxidants can be used to at leastpartially oxidize the lignocellulose substrate. Illustrative oxidantscan include, but are not limited to inorganic and/or organic peroxycompounds, ozone, ozonides, halogen containing oxidants, oxygen, or anycombination thereof. In at least one example, the oxidant can be free ofor essentially free of nitrogen and/or nitrogen containing compounds.For example, the oxidant can be free or essentially free of nitrates andnitroxylradicals. In another example, the oxidant can be free oressentially free of chlorates.

Illustrative inorganic peroxy compounds can include, but are not limitedto, hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide generating compounds, e.g.,alkali metal salts of percarbonate, perborate, peroxysulfate,peroxyphosphate, and/or peroxysilicate, and/or corresponding weak acids.Illustrative organic peroxy compounds can include, but are not limitedto, peroxy carboxylic acids, e.g., t-butyl peroxide, t-butylhydroperoxide, benzoyl peroxide, peracetic acid and/or perbenzoic acid.Illustrative halogen containing oxidants can include, but are notlimited to, alkali metal chlorite, alkali metal hypochlorite, chlorinedioxide, and/or a chloro sodium salt of cyanuric acid. An illustrativeozonide can include, but is not limited to, dimethyloxirane.

The oxidant can be combined with the lignocellulose substrates in thepresence of a liquid. Illustrative solvents can include, but are notlimited to, water, alcohol, or a combination thereof. For example, anoxidant/lignocellulose substrate mixture can have a liquid concentrationfrom a low of abut 1 wt %, about 10 wt %, or about 20 wt % to a high ofabout 50 wt %, about 70 wt %, about 80 wt %, about 90 wt %, or about 95wt %. In at least one example, the oxidant can be or include an aqueoussolution of hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide inthe aqueous solution can range form a low of about 1 wt %, about 3 wt %,or about 5 wt % to a high of about 20 wt %, about 25 wt %, or about 30wt %.

The particular amount of oxidant combined with the lignocellulosesubstrates can depend, at least in part, on the particular oxidantand/or the particular lignocellulose substrate. The amount of oxidantcombined with the lignocellulose substrates can be from about 1 wt % toabout 200 wt %, based on the dry weight of the lignocellulose substrate.For example, the amount of oxidant combined with the lignocellulosesubstrates can be from a low of about 1 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 10 wt%, or about 20 wt % to a high of about 80 wt %, about 100 wt %, about120 wt %, or about 150 wt %, based on the dry weight of thelignocellulose substrate. In one particular example, the oxidant can beor include hydrogen peroxide and the oxidant can be present in an amountfrom about 0.1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %,about 5 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 70 wt %, or about0.5 wt % to about 25 wt %, based on the dry weight of the lignocellulosesubstrate.

In addition to the one or more oxidants, one or more catalysts can becombined with the oxidant/lignocellulose mixture to produce the oxidizedlignocellulose substrates. The one or more oxidants and/or catalysts, ifpresent, can be combined with the reaction product between the one ormore unsaturated monomers and the one or more polyphenolic compounds toproduce the binder composition.

The catalyst, if present, can be combined with the lignocellulosesubstrates before, after, and/or when the one or more oxidants arecombined with the lignocellulose substrates. In another example, thecatalyst can be combined with the reaction product between the one ormore unsaturated monomers and the one or more polyphenolic compounds toproduce the binder composition. The catalyst can also be referred to asan initiator, a promoter, a reducer, and/or an accelerator. Suitablecatalysts can be or include, but are not limited to, metal ions,tertiary amines, polymeric tertiary amines, polyamines, phosphates,bisulfites, metabi sulfites, tetraacetylethylenediamine, cyanamides,ultraviolet light, or any combination thereof. Any catalyst orcombination of catalysts can be combined with the lignocellulosesubstrates and the oxidant to produce the mixture. In addition to or inlieu of contacting the lignocellulose substrates with an oxidant and/orcatalyst, ultrasonic waves, photo-Fenton and/or electro-Fenton reactions(in situ generation of hydroxyl radicals by radiation or electriccurrents) can be used.

Suitable metal can include one or more Group 3 to Group 12 metal atoms.As used herein, all reference to the Periodic Table of the Elements andgroups thereof is to the NEW NOTATION published in HAWLEY'S CONDENSEDCHEMICAL DICTIONARY, Thirteenth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (1997)(reproduced there with permission from IUPAC) unless otherwise noted.Illustrative transition metals can include, but are not limited to,metal ions of iron, copper, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt,titanium, or any combination or mixture thereof. The metal can be in theform of an oxide. The metal can be in the form of a salt or complex,e.g., bound to one or more complexing agents or compounds. Illustrativecomplexing agents or complexing compounds can include, but are notlimited to, cyanide (CN⁻), sulfate (SO₄ ²⁻), ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA), ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethyleneglycolbis(2-aminoethyl ter)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA),diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid (CDTA), iminodisuccinate (IDS), nitrilotracetic acid(NTA), or any combination or mixture thereof. Other complexing compoundscan include phosphates, or complexing agents based on phosphonic acid,oxalic acid, ascorbic acid, nitrilo acetate, gallic acid, fulvic acid,or polyoxomethalates.

In one or more embodiments, the catalyst can include Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺ ionssuch as iron(II) sulfate, iron(II) oxide, iron(III) sulfate, iron(III)oxide. Other iron ion containing catalysts can include, but are notlimited to, [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, ferrocyanide [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻, and/or [Fe(CN)₅NO]²⁻.For example, the catalyst can be or include, but is not limited to,potassium ferricyanide (K₃[Fe(CN)₆]), potassium ferrocyanide(K₄[Fe(CN)₆]), ammonium hexacyanoferrate(II) hydrate((NH₄)₄[Fe(CN)₆].xH₂O), ammonium iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) hydrate,sodium ferrocyanide decahydrate (Na₄[Fe(CN)₆]0.10H₂O), sodiumnitroprusside dihydrate (Na₂[Fe(CN)₅N₀]0.2H₂O). Other suitable catalystthat contain iron can include, but are not limited to, Fe[EDTA],Fe[EDDS], Fe[DTPA], Fe[EGTA], Fe[CDTA], Fe[IDS], or any mixture thereof.In at least one specific embodiment, the catalyst preferably includesferricyanide, e.g., potassium ferricyanide, a complex of iron andethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a complex of iron and(S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid ((S,S)-EDDS), a complex ofiron and (R,R)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid ((R,R)-EDDS), acomplex of iron and (R,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid((R,S)-EDDS), a complex of iron and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid(DTPA), a complex of iron and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetraaceticacid (DCTA), a complex of iron and iminodisuccinate (IDS), or anymixture thereof.

Tertiary amines can be represented by the general Formula NR₁R₂R₃, whereeach R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently selected from alkyls, cycloalkyls,heterocycloalkyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and substituted aryls. The alkylcan include branched or unbranched alkyls having from 1 to about 15carbon atoms or more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms.Illustrative alkyls can include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, andethylhexyl. The cycloalkyls can include from 3 to 7 carbon atoms.Illustrative cycloalkyls can include, but are not limited to,cyclopentyl, substituted cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and substitutedcyclohexyl. The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic substituent containinga single aromatic ring or multiple aromatic rings that are fusedtogether, linked covalently, or linked to a common group such as amethylene or ethylene moiety. More specific aryl groups contain onearomatic ring or two or three fused or linked aromatic rings, e.g.,phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, and the like.The aryl substituents can include from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. Theterm “heteroatom-containing,” as in a “heteroatom-containing cycloalkylgroup,” refers to a molecule or molecular fragment in which one or morecarbon atoms is replaced with an atom other than carbon, e.g., nitrogen,oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, boron, or silicon. Similarly, the term“heteroaryl” refers to an aryl substituent that isheteroatom-containing. The term “substituted,” as in “substitutedaryls,” refers to a molecule or molecular fragment in which at least onehydrogen atom bound to a carbon atom is replaced with one or moresubstituents that are functional groups such as hydroxyl, alkoxy,alkylthio, phosphino, amino, halo, silyl, and the like. Illustrativetertiary amines can include, but are not limited to, trimethylamine,triethylamine, triethanolamine, or any combination thereof. Illustrativepolymeric tertiary amines can include, but are not limited to,poly(N-methyl-diallyl amine), poly(N-dimethyl-vinyl amine), copolymersof N-dimethyl-vinyl amine, or any combination thereof. Illustrativepolyamines can include, but are not limited to, diethylenetriamine(“DETA”), tri ethyl enetetramine (“TETA”), tetraethyl enep entamine(“TEPA”). Other polyamines can include, for example, 1,3-propanediamine,1,4-butanediamine, polyamidoamines, and polyethylenimines.

Illustrative phosphates can be or include, but are not limited to,potassium, phosphate, sodium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, or anycombination or mixture thereof. Illustrative bisulfites can include, butare not limited to, sodium bisulfite. Illustrative metabisulfites can beor include, but are not limited to, sodium metabisulfite, potassiummetabisulfite, or any combination or mixture thereof. Illustrativecyanamides can include, but are not limited to, cyanamide, calciumcyanamide, sodium hydrogen cyanamide, or any combination thereof.

In one or more embodiments, a suitable catalyst can also include one ormore azo compounds. The one or more azo compounds can be combined withthe reaction product between the one or more unsaturated monomers andthe one or more polyphenolic compounds to produce the bindercomposition. The one or more azo compounds can be combined with thelignocellulose substrates. The azo compound can be represented by thegeneral Formula R—N═N—R′, where R and R′ can independently besubstituted aryl or substituted alkyl. Suitable azo compounds caninclude, but are not limited to, azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN).

The amount of catalyst, if present in the free radical precursor, canwidely vary. For example, the amount of catalyst in the mixture can befrom a low of about 0.00001 wt %, about 0.0001 wt %, about 0.001 wt %,about 0.01 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 1 wt %,about 3 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 10 wt %, or about 20 wt %, based onthe dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates. In another example, theamount of catalyst in the mixture can be from about 0.01 wt % to about1.5 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 1.3 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.5wt %, about 0.07 wt % to about 0.4 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt%, based on the dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates. In anotherexample, the amount of the catalyst in the mixture can be about 0.001 wt% to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.15 wt % to about 0.35 wt %, about 0.1 wt %to about 0.4 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.05 wt % toabout 3 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.35 wt %, about 0.1 wt % toabout 4.5 wt %, about 0.15 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 0.05 wt % toabout 3 wt %, or about 0.01 wt % to about 3.5 wt %, based on the dryweight of the lignocellulose substrates.

One or more salts can be added to the lignocellulose substrates and/orto the oxidized lignocellulose substrates. The amount of salt that canbe added to the lignocellulose substrates and/or the oxidizedlignocellulose substrates can be from a low of about 1 wt %, about 2 wt%, or about 3 wt % to a high of about 10 wt %, about 20 wt %, or about30 wt %, based on the dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates and/oroxidized lignocellulose substrates. The one or more salts can be addedbefore, after, and/or during oxidation of the lignocellulose substrates,if oxidized. Illustrative salts can include Al, Ca, K, Na, Cu, Zn, Mg,Mn, Ba, and/or Li cations. Suitable anions can be in the form ofcarbonates, chlorides, nitrates, silicates, acetates, formiate,sulphates, silicates, phosphates, and/or other forms.

The lignocellulose substrates can be oxidized and/or otherwise modifiedwith the one or more compounds containing one or more aromatic groupsand/or the salts under any suitable conditions. For example, thelignocellulose substrates can be oxidized at a pH from about 1 to about12. For example the pH of the lignocellulose and oxidant mixture canrange form a low of about 2, about 3, or about 4 to a high of about 8,about 9, or about 10. In another example the pH of the lignocelluloseand oxidant mixture can be from about 1 to about 7, about 2 to about 6,or about 2 to about 5. The pH range can be naturally obtained and/or oneor more base compounds and/or acid compounds can be added thereto inorder to adjust or otherwise control the pH.

The oxidation of the lignocellulose substrates can be carried out at atemperature from a low of about 0° C. to a high of about 200° C. Forexample, the temperature can be from about 10° C. to about 150° C.,about 20° C. to about 100° C., or about 25° C. to about 90° C. Theoxidation of the lignocellulose substrates can be carried out at apressure from a low of about 25 kPa, about 50 kPa, or about 75 kPa to ahigh of about 150 kPa, about 500 kPa, about 1,000 kPa, or about 2,000kPa. In at least one example, the oxidation of the lignocellulosesubstrates can be carried out at atmospheric pressure.

The length of time the lignocellulose substrates can undergo theoxidation reaction can be from about 30 seconds to about 10 hours. Forexample, the length of time the lignocellulose substrates can beoxidized can be from a low of about 1 minute, about 5 minutes or about10 minutes to a high of about 2 hours, about 4 hours, or about 8 hours.In at least one example, the oxidation of the lignocellulose substratescan be carried out for a length of time of at least 10 minutes, at least15 minutes, at least 20 minutes, or at least 30 minutes.

The oxidized lignocellulose substrates can be dried after the oxidationthereof. For example, at least a portion of any water and/or otherliquids present in the oxidized lignocellulose substrates can be removedvia evaporation. In another example, at least a portion of any waterand/or other liquids present in the oxidized lignocellulose substratescan be removed under vacuum, e.g., via vacuum distillation. The oxidizedlignocellulose substrates can be stored for a period of time before usein the production of a composite lignocellulose containing substrate.For example, the oxidized lignocellulose substrates can be at leastpartially dried and the stored in a container for a period of time fromabout 1 hour, 1 day, about 3 days, or about 1 week to about 2 weeks,about 3 weeks, about 1 month, or more. Suitable oxidized lignocellulosesubstrates can be prepared as discussed and described in U.S. Pat. No.7,326,317.

The production of composite lignocellulose containing products caninclude contacting a plurality of lignocellulose substrates and/oroxidized lignocellulose substrates and/or lignocellulose substratesmixed with the binder composition. The substrates can be contacted withthe binder composition by spraying, coating, mixing, brushing, fallingfilm or curtain coater, dipping, soaking, or the like. After contactingthe plurality of substrates with the binder composition, the bindercomposition can be at least partially cured. As used herein, the terms“curing,” “cured,” “at least partially curing,” “at least partiallycured,” and similar terms are intended to embrace the structural and/ormorphological change that occurs in a the binder composition, such as bycovalent chemical reaction (crosslinking), ionic interaction orclustering, improved adhesion to the substrate, phase transformation orinversion, and/or hydrogen bonding when the binder composition is atleast partially cured to cause the properties of a flexible, poroussubstrate, such as a mat or blanket of particulates and/or a rigid orsemi-rigid substrate, such as a wood or other lignocellulose containingboard or sheet, to which an effective amount of the binder compositionhas been applied, to be altered.

At least partially curing the binder composition can include applyingheat and/or pressure thereto. The binder composition can also be atleast partially cured at room temperature and pressure. The substratescontacted with the binder composition can be formed into a desiredshape, e.g., a board, a non-woven mat, a woven mat, or the like. Thesubstrates contacted with the binder composition can be formed into adesired shape before, during, and/or after at least partial curing ofthe binder composition. Depending on the particular product, thesubstrates contacted with the binder composition can be pressed before,during, and/or after the binder composition is at least partially cured.For example, the substrates contacted with the binder composition can beconsolidated or otherwise formed into a desired shape, if desiredpressed to a particular density and thickness, and heated to at leastpartially cure the binder composition. In another example, a blendedfurnish, i.e., a mixture of the particulates and the binder composition,can be extruded through a die (extrusion process) and heated to at leastpartially cure the binder composition.

When the mixture is heated, the mixture can contain at least a portionof the oxidant initially added to and present in the mixture. Saidanother way, at least a portion of the oxidant can remain unreacted orotherwise in the same form as when combined with the additionalcomponents of the mixture. For example, if oxidant includes one or moreoxidants, e.g., hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), at least a portion of theoxidant in the form of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can be present whenheating of the mixture is initiated or started. In one or moreembodiments, the mixture can contain at least 11%, at least 13%, atleast 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, atleast 65%, or at least 70% of the total amount of oxidant initiallypresent in the mixture, i.e., the total amount of the oxidant combinedwith the plurality of lignocellulose substrates when the mixture isheated. In another example, the mixture can contain from about 11% toabout 95%, about 15% to about 85%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% toabout 80%, about 11% to about 100%, about 35% to about 75%, about 40% toabout 70%, or about 30% to about 95% of the total amount of oxidantinitially present in the mixture when the mixture is heated. In at leastone specific example, if the mixture can include about 5 wt % oxidant,based on the dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates when themixture is initially formed and when the mixture is heated to atemperature of 60° C. or more at least 11% of the oxidant can be presentin the mixture. Said another way, if the mixture contains about 5 wt %of the one or more oxidant, based on the dry weight of thelignocellulose substrates, upon preparation or formation of the mixture,when heating the mixture is initiated or started, the mixture can have aoxidant concentration of at least 11% of the initial 5 wt % or 0.55 wt%, based on the dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates.

In one or more embodiments, the amount of the one or more oxidantspresent when the mixture is heated, e.g., to a temperature of about 60°C. to about 300° C., can be at least 0.5 wt %, at least 0.7 wt %, atleast 1 wt %, at least 1.2 wt %, at least 1.5 wt %, at least 1.7 wt %,at least 2 wt %, at least 2.2 wt %, at least 2.5 wt %, at least 2.7 wt%, at least 3 wt %, at least 3.2 wt %, at least 3.5 wt %, at least 3.7wt %, at least 4 wt %, at least 4.2 wt %, at least 4.5 wt %, at least4.7 wt %, or at least 5 wt %, based on the dry weight of the pluralityof lignocellulose substrates. For example, the amount of the one or moreoxidants present when the mixture is heated can be from a low of about 1wt %, about 1.5 wt %, about 1.6 wt %, about 1.8 wt %, or about 2.1 wt %to high of about 5 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 15 wt %,about 20 wt % or more, based on the dry weight of the plurality oflignocellulose substrates. In another example, the amount of the one ormore oxidants present when the mixture is heated can be from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt %, about 1.5 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 2 wt % toabout 6 wt %, about 2.5 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 5.5wt %, about 4 wt % to about 6.5 wt %, about 2.2 wt % to about 11 wt %,or about 2.3 wt % to about 6.3 wt %, based on the dry weight of theplurality of lignocellulose substrates.

In one or more embodiments, the amount of the metal in the catalyst, ifthe catalyst is present in the mixture, that can remain bound to thecomplexing agent until the mixture is heated, e.g., to a temperature ofabout 60° C. to about 300° C., can be at least at least 11%, at least13%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least60%, at least 65%, or at least 70% of the amount of metal initiallypresent in the mixture and bound to the complexing agent. In anotherexample, the amount of the metal in the catalyst, if the catalyst ispresent in the mixture, that can remain bound to the complexing agentuntil the mixture is heated, e.g., to a temperature of about 60° C. toabout 300° C., can be about 11% to about 95%, about 15% to about 85%,about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%, about 11% to about 100%,about 35% to about 75%, about 40% to about 70%, or about 30% to about95% of the amount of the metal initially present in the mixture andbound to the complexing agent.

The pressure applied to the lignocellulose substrates during productionof the composite product can depend, at least in part, on the particularproduct. For example, the amount of pressure applied to a particleboardprocess can be from about 1 MPa to about 5 MPa or from about 2 MPa toabout 4 MPa. In another example, the amount of pressure applied to amedium density fiberboard product can be from about 2 MPa to about 7 MPaor from about 3 MPa to about 6 MPa. The temperature the product can beheated to produce an at least partially cured product can be from a lowof about 100° C., about 125° C., about 150° C., or about 170° C. to ahigh of about 180° C., about 200° C., about 220° C., or about 250° C.The length of time the pressure can be applied can be from a low ofabout 30 seconds, about 1 minute, about 3 minutes, about 5 minutes, orabout 7 minutes to a high of about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about20 minutes, or about 30 minutes, which can depend, at least in part, onthe particular product and/or the particular dimensions, e.g., thicknessof the product.

Prior to heating the mixture of the lignocellulose substrates and thebinder composition, the mixture thereof can be kept, held, or otherwisemaintained at a temperature less than about 60° C. for a period of timeprior to heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 60° C. Theparticular temperature of the mixture during the time period beforeheating can depend, at least in part, on the ambient or environmentaltemperature where the mixture is located. In one or more embodiments,the mixture can be maintained at a temperature of less than 60° C.without any intentional removal of heat therefrom. In one or moreembodiments, the mixture can be maintained at a temperature of less than60° C. with removal of heat therefrom, e.g., the mixture can be locatedwithin a refrigeration device and/or a cooled fluid such as chilled aircan be directed toward and/or passed through the mixture. In one or moreembodiments, the mixture can be maintained at a temperature of less than60° C. by controlling or adjusting a water concentration of the mixture.For example, increasing the water concentration of the mixture canreduce, inhibit, or prevent the mixture from undergoing an exothermicreaction.

Prior to heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 60° C., themixture can be maintained at a temperature less than 60° C., less than55° C., less than 50° C., less than 45° C., less than 40° C., less than35° C., or less than 30° C. for at least 10 minutes, at least 13minutes, at least 15 minutes, at least 17 minutes, at least 20 minutes,at least 23 minutes, at least 25 minutes, at least 27 minutes, at least30 minutes, at least 33 minutes, at least 35 minutes, at least 37minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 43 minutes, at least 45 minutes,at least 47 minutes, at least 50 minutes, at least 53 minutes, at least55 minutes, at least 57 minutes, or at least 60 minutes. For example,the mixture can be maintained at a temperature less than 60° C. for atleast 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, at least about 15 minutes to about35 minutes, at least about 20 minutes to about 40 minutes, at leastabout 18 minutes to about 45 minutes, or at least about 15 minutes toabout 40 minutes prior to heating the mixture to a temperature of atleast 60° C. In another example, the mixture can be maintained at atemperature less than 60° C. for at least 10 minutes, about 30 minutes,about 45 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 5hours, about 12 hours, about 18 hours, about 24 hours, or about 30 hoursprior to heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 60° C.

Prior to heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 60° C., theamount of energy generated from the mixture due to exothermicreaction(s) between the components of the mixture can be less than about20 cal/g of the mixture, less than about 18 cal/g of the mixture, lessthan about 16 cal/g of the mixture, less than about 15 cal/g of themixture, less than about 14 cal/g of the mixture, or less than about13.8 cal/g of the mixture. For example, prior to heating the mixture toa temperature of at least 60° C., the amount of energy generated fromthe mixture due to exothermic reaction(s) between the components of themixture can be less than 14 cal/g, less than 13.5 cal/g, less than 13cal/g, less than 12.5 cal/g, less than 12 cal/g, less than 11.5 cal/g,less than 11 cal/g, less than 10.5 cal/g, less than 10 cal/g, less than9.5 cal/g, less than 9 cal/g, less than 8.5 cal/g, less than 8 cal/g,less than 7.5 cal/g, less than 7 cal/g, less than 6.5 cal/g, less than 6cal/g, less than 5.5 cal/g, less than 5 cal/g, less than 4.5 cal/g, lessthan 4 cal/g, less than 3.5 cal/g, less than 3 cal/g, less than 2.5cal/g, less than 2 cal/g, less than 1.5 cal/g, less than 1 cal/g, orless than 0.5 cal/g of the mixture.

For composite lignocellulose containing products the amount of thebinder composition mixed, blended, or otherwise contacted with thelignocellulose material can be from a low of about 0.5 wt %, about 1 wt%, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %, about 4 wt %, about 5 wt % or about 6 wt% to a high of about 10 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 15 wt %, or about 20wt %, based on a dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates. Forexample, a wood composite product can contain from about 1 wt % to about15 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 14 wt %,about 10 wt % to about 12 wt %, or about 7 wt % to about 10 wt % bindercomposition, based on a dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates.

Composite lignocellulose products such as particleboard, fiberboard,plywood, and oriented strand board, can have a thickness from a low ofabout 1.5 mm, about 5 mm, or about 10 mm to a high of about 30 mm, about50 mm, or about 100 mm. Wood based or wood containing products can beformed into sheets or boards. The sheets or boards can have a length ofabout 1.2 m, about 1.8 m, about 2.4 m, about 3 m, or about 3.6 m. Thesheets or boards can have a width of about 0.6 m, about 1.2 m, about 1.8m, about 2.4 m, or about 3 m.

Depending, at least in part, on the number of double bonds per onepolyphenol molecule, e.g., the lignin, tannin, and/or novolac resinmolecules, the binder compositions could be used for applications otherthan making lignocellulose composite products. For example, anadditional application could be in linear copolymers (the polyphenol canbe a pendant group). In another example, an additional application couldbe in crosslinked copolymer synthesis.

The binder compositions discussed and described above can be combinedwith one or more additional or second binder compositions to produce abinder or adhesive system (multi-binder system). The one or more secondbinder compositions or adhesives can be different from the one or morebinder compositions discussed and described above. For example thesecond binder or adhesive composition can be free from at least one ofthe unsaturated monomers, lignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and/or humic acid.

Illustrative additional or second binder compositions can include, butare not limited to, aldehyde containing or aldehyde based resins; amixture of Maillard reactants; a reaction product of Maillard reactants;a copolymer of one or more vinyl aromatic derived units and at least oneof maleic anhydride and maleic acid; a polyamide-epichlorhydrin polymer;an adduct or polymer of styrene, at least one of maleic anhydride andmaleic acid, and at least one of an acrylic acid and an acrylate; apolyacrylic acid based binder; polyvinyl acetate; polymeric methylenediisocyanate (“pMDI”); polyfurfuryl alcohol; or any combination thereof.

Illustrative aldehyde based resins can include, but are not limited to,one or more amino-aldehyde resins, phenol-aldehyde resins,dihydroxybenzene or “resorcinol”-aldehyde resins, or any combinationthereof. The amino component of the amino-aldehyde resins can be orinclude, but is not limited to, urea, melamine, or a combinationthereof. The aldehyde based resins can include, but are not limited to,urea-formaldehyde (“UF”) resins, phenol-formaldehyde (“PF”) resins,melamine-formaldehyde (“MF”) resins, resorcinol-formaldehyde (“RF”)resins, styrene-acrylic acid; acrylic acid maleic acid copolymer, or anycombination thereof. Combinations of amino-aldehyde resins can include,for example, melamine-urea-formaldehyde (“MUF”),phenol-urea-formaldehyde (“PUF”) resins, phenol-melamine-formaldehyde(“PMF”) resins, phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde (“PRF”) resins, and thelike.

Suitable aldehyde compounds for making the amino-aldehyde resins,phenol-aldehyde resins, and/or dihydroxybenzene or “resorcinol”-aldehyderesins can include, but are not limited to, unsubstituted aldehydecompounds and/or substituted aldehyde compounds. For example, suitablealdehyde compounds can be represented by the Formula RCHO, wherein R ishydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical. Illustrative hydrocarbon radicals caninclude from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms. In another example, suitablealdehyde compounds can also include the so-called masked aldehydes oraldehyde equivalents, such as acetals or hemiacetals. Illustrativealdehyde compounds can include, but are not limited to, formaldehyde,paraformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde,furfuraldehyde, benzaldehyde, or any combination thereof. One or moreother aldehydes, such as glyoxal can be used in place of or incombination with formaldehyde and/or other aldehydes. In at least oneexample, the aldehyde compound can include formaldehyde, UFC, or acombination thereof.

Aldehyde and phenol compounds for making the amino-aldehyde resins,phenol-aldehyde resins, and/or dihydroxybenzene or “resorcinol”-aldehyderesins can be as discussed and described above with reference to thenovolac resins.

Suitable urea-formaldehyde resins can be prepared from urea andformaldehyde monomers or from urea-formaldehyde precondensates inmanners well known to those skilled in the art. Similarly,melamine-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, and resorcinol-formaldehydepolymers can be prepared from melamine, phenol, and resorcinol monomers,respectively, and formaldehyde monomers or from melamine-formaldehyde,phenol-formaldehyde, and resorcinol-formaldehyde precondensates. Urea,phenol, melamine, resorcinol, and formaldehyde reactants arecommercially available in many forms and any form that can react withthe other reactants and does not introduce extraneous moietiesdeleterious to the desired reaction and reaction product can be used inthe preparation of the second copolymer. One suitable class ofurea-formaldehyde polymers can be as discussed and described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,362,842.

Similar to formaldehyde and phenol, suitable urea, resorcinol, andmelamine are available in many forms. For example, with regard to urea,solid urea, such as prill and urea solutions, typically aqueoussolutions, are commonly available. Further, urea may be combined withanother moiety, most typically formaldehyde and urea-formaldehydeadducts, often in aqueous solution. Any form of urea or urea incombination with formaldehyde can be used to make a urea-formaldehydepolymer. Both urea prill and combined urea-formaldehyde products arepreferred, such as UFC. These types of products can be as discussed anddescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,842 and 5,389,716, for example.

Many suitable urea-formaldehyde polymers are commercially available.Urea-formaldehyde polymers such as the types sold by Georgia-PacificChemicals LLC. (e.g., GP®-2928 and GP®-2980) for glass fiber matapplications, those sold by Hexion Specialty Chemicals, and by ArclinCompany can be used. Suitable phenol-formaldehyde resins andmelamine-formaldehyde resins can include those sold by Georgia PacificResins, Inc. (e.g., GP®-2894 and GP®-4878, respectively). These polymersare prepared in accordance with well known methods and contain reactivemethylol groups which upon curing form methylene or ether linkages. Suchmethylol-containing adducts may include N,N′-dimethylol,dihydroxymethylolethylene; N,N′bis(methoxymethyl),N,N′-dimethylolpropylene; 5,5-dim ethyl-N,N′dimethylolethylene;N,N′-dimethylolethylene; and the like.

Urea-formaldehyde resins can include from about 45% to about 70%, andpreferably, from about 55% to about 65% solids, generally have aviscosity of about 50 cP to about 600 cP, preferably about 150 to about400 cP, normally exhibit a pH of about 7 to about 9, preferably about7.5 to about 8.5, and often have a free formaldehyde level of not morethan about 3.0%, and a water dilutability of about 1:1 to about 100:1,preferably about 5:1 and above.

Melamine can also be provided in many forms. For example, solidmelamine, such as prill and/or melamine solutions can be used. Althoughmelamine is specifically referred to, the melamine can be totally orpartially replaced with other aminotriazine compounds. Other suitableaminotriazine compounds can include, but are not limited to, substitutedmelamines, cycloaliphatic guanamines, or combinations thereof.Substituted melamines include the alkyl melamines and aryl melaminesthat can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted. In the alkyl substitutedmelamines, each alkyl group can contain 1-6 carbon atoms and, preferably1-4 carbon atoms. Illustrative examples of the alkyl-substitutedmelamines can include, but are not limited to, monomethyl melamine,dimethyl melamine, trimethyl melamine, monoethyl melamine, and1-methyl-3-propyl-5-butyl melamine. In the aryl-substituted melamines,each aryl group can contain 1-2 phenyl radicals and, preferably, onephenyl radical. Illustrative examples of aryl-substituted melamines caninclude, but are not limited to, monophenyl melamine and diphenylmelamine. Any of the cycloaliphatic guanamines can also be used.Suitable cycloaliphatic guanamines can include those having 15 or lesscarbon atoms. Illustrative cycloaliphatic guanamines can include, butare not limited to, tetrahydrobenzoguanamine, hex ahydrob enzoguanamine,3-methyl-tetrahydrob enzoguanamine, 3-methyl hexahydrob enzoguanamine,3,4-dim ethyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydrobenzoguanamine, and3,4-dimethylhexahydrobenzoguanamine and mixtures thereof. Mixtures ofaminotriazine compounds can include, for example, melamine and analkyl-substituted melamine, such as dimethyl melamine, or melamine and acycloaliphatic guanamine, such as tetrahydrobenzoguanamine.

The resorcinol component, if present in the second copolymer, can beprovided in a variety of forms. For example, the resorcinol componentcan be provided as a white/off-white solid or flake and/or theresorcinol component can be heated and supplied as a liquid. Any form ofthe resorcinol can be used with any form of the aldehyde component tomake the resorcinol-aldehyde copolymer. The resorcinol component can beresorcinol itself (i.e., Benzene-1,3-diol). Suitable resorcinolcompounds can also be described as substituted phenols. The solidscomponent of a liquid resorcinol-formaldehyde copolymer can be fromabout 45 wt % to about 75 wt %. Liquid resorcinol-formaldehydecopolymers can have a Brookfield viscosity at 25° C. that varies widely,e.g., from about 200 cP to about 20,000 cP. Liquid resorcinol copolymerstypically have a dark amber color.

The mixture of Maillard reactants can include, but is not limited to, asource of a carbohydrate (carbohydrate reactant) and an amine reactantcapable of participating in a Maillard reaction with the carbohydratereactant. In another example, the mixture of Maillard reactants caninclude a partially pre-reacted mixture of the carbohydrate reactant andthe amine reactant. The extent of any pre-reaction can preserve theability of the mixture of Maillard reactants to be blended with anyother components desired to be added into composition such as one ormore additives. Suitable Maillard reactants and Maillard reactionproducts can be as discussed and described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0027283; 2007/0123679; 2007/0123680; 2007/0142596;and 2011/0060095.

The aldehyde based resin(s) and/or the Maillard reactant based bindercan be modified by combining with one or more modifiers. The modifiercan be or include the copolymer of one or more vinyl aromatic derivedunits and at least one of maleic anhydride and maleic acid, optionallymodified by reaction with one or more base compounds. In anotherexample, the modifier can be or include an adduct of styrene, at leastone of maleic anhydride and maleic acid, and at least one of an acrylicacid and an acrylate. In another example, the modifier can be or includethe one or more latexes. In another example, the modifier can includetwo or more of: (1) a copolymer comprising one or more vinyl aromaticderived units and at least one of maleic anhydride and maleic acid; (2)an adduct of styrene, at least one of maleic anhydride and maleic acid,and at least one of an acrylic acid and an acrylate; and (3) one or morelatexes. The addition of the one or more modifiers to the aldehyde basedbinder and/or the Maillard reactant based binder can be as discussed anddescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0060095.

The copolymer of one or more vinyl aromatic derived units and at leastone of maleic anhydride and maleic acid can be produced using anysuitable reactants. Similarly, the copolymer that includes one or moreunsaturated carboxylic acids, one or more unsaturated carboxylicanhydrides, or a combination thereof, one or more vinyl aromatic derivedunits, and one or more base compounds can be produced using any suitablereactants. Similarly, the copolymer modified by reaction with one ormore base compounds, where the copolymer includes one or moreunsaturated carboxylic acids, one or more unsaturated carboxylicanhydrides, or a combination thereof, one or more vinyl aromatic derivedunits, can be produced using any suitable reactants. Illustrative vinylaromatic derived units can include, but are not limited to, styrene,alpha-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, and combinations thereof.Preferably, the vinyl aromatic derived units are derived from styreneand/or derivatives thereof. More preferably, the vinyl aromatic derivedunits are derived from styrene to produce a styrene maleic anhydride(acid) or “SMA” copolymer. Suitable SMA copolymers include resins thatcontain alternating styrenic and maleic anhydride (acid) monomer units,arranged in random, alternating, and/or block forms. The copolymer thatincludes one or more unsaturated carboxylic acids, one or moreunsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, or a combination thereof, one or morevinyl aromatic derived units, and one or more amines can be as discussedand described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0165398and U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 13/228,917.

Polyamide-epichlorhydrin polymers can be made by the reaction ofepichlorohydrin and a polyamide under basic conditions (i.e. a pHbetween about 7 to about 11). The resulting polymer can then becontacted with an acid to stabilize the product. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,311,594 and 3,442,754. Unreacted epichlorohydrin in the productcan be hydrolyzed by the acid to 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP),3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (CPD), and 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol (2,3-DCP).The 1,3-DCP product is the predominant hydrolysis product with CPD beingformed in levels of about 10% of the 1,3-DCP and 2,3-DCP being formed inlevels of about 1% of the 1,3-DCP. Although the final product caninclude several other types of organic chlorines (as measured by thedifference between inorganic chloride and total chlorineconcentrations), the 1,3-DCP and CPD concentrations can be accuratelydetermined by C^(—)NMR and GC-MS measuring techniques known in the art.The 2,3-DCP concentrations are, however, generally below the detectionlimit of C¹³ NMR so 1,3-DCP and CPD are generally used as measurementsfor the epichlorohydrin hydrolysis products present in the polymer. Ofparticular utility are the polyamide-epchlorohydrin polymers, an exampleof which is sold under the trade names Kymene 557LX and Kymene 557H byHercules, Inc. and AMRES® from Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc. Thesepolymers and the process for making the polymers are discussed anddescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,700,623 and 3,772,076. An extensivedescription of polymeric-epihalohydrin resins is given in Chapter 2:Alkaline—Curing Polymeric Amine—Epichlorohydrin by Espy in Wet StrengthResins and Their Application (L. Chan, Editor, 1994).

The adduct or polymer of styrene, at least one of maleic anhydride andmaleic acid, and at least one of an acrylic acid and an acrylate can beproduced using any suitable reactants. Any suitable acrylic acid oracrylate can be used such as methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate,methacrylate, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the acrylate ismethyl methacrylate (MMA). The adduct can be combined with the aldehydebased polymer, the Maillard reactants, or a combination thereof. Inanother example, the components of the adduct can be mixed with thealdehyde based polymer, the mixture of Maillard reactants, or acombination thereof.

The adduct can be prepared by dissolving the components of the adduct ina suitable solution. Illustrative solutions can include, but are notlimited to, aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, and combinations thereof. The solution can beheated to a temperature of about 70° C. to about 90° C. The solution canbe held at the elevated temperature until the components are all atleast partially in solution. The solution can then be added to thephenol-aldehyde resin, the mixture of Maillard reactants, or thecombination of the phenol-aldehyde resin and the mixture of Maillardreactants.

The adduct can be prepared by combining styrene, at least one of maleicanhydride and maleic acid, and at least one of an acrylic acid and anacrylate to form a terpolymer. The amount of styrene in the adduct canbe from a low of about 50 wt %, about 55 wt %, or about 60 wt % to ahigh of about 75 wt %, about 80 wt %, or about 85 wt %, based on thetotal weight of the adduct. The amount of the maleic anhydride and/ormaleic acid in the adduct can be from a low of about 15 wt %, about 20wt %, or about 25 wt % to a high of about 40 wt %, about 45 wt %, orabout 50 wt %, based on the total weigh of the adduct. The amount of theacrylic acid and/or the acrylate in the adduct can be from a low ofabout 1 wt %, about 3 wt % or about 5 wt % to a high of about 10 wt %,about 15 wt %, or about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of theadduct.

In another example, the acrylic acid or acrylate can be combined withthe copolymer of one or more vinyl aromatic derived units and at leastone of maleic anhydride and maleic acid to provide the modifier. Forexample, combining the acrylic acid or acrylate with SMA can form astyrene maleic anhydride methyl-methacrylate terpolymer. In anotherexample, the modifier can also include a physical mixture of styreneacrylic acid and/or styrene-acrylate copolymer and a SMA copolymer. Theadduct or polymer of styrene, at least one of maleic anhydride andmaleic acid, and at least one of an acrylic acid and an acrylate and thephysical mixture of styrene acrylic acid and/or styrene-acrylatecopolymer and a SMA copolymer can be prepared according to the processesdiscussed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,299.

The polyacrylic acid based binder can include an aqueous solution of apolycarboxy polymer, a monomeric trihydric alcohol, a catalyst, and a pHadjuster. The polycarboxy polymer can include an organic polymer oroligomer containing more than one pendant carboxy group. The polycarboxypolymer can be a homopolymer or copolymer prepared from unsaturatedcarboxylic acids including, but not limited to, acrylic acid,methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, maleic acid, cinnamicacid, 2-methylmaleic acid, itaconic acid, 2-methylitaconic acid,α,β-methyleneglutaric acid, and the like. Other suitable polycarboxypolymers can be prepared from unsaturated anhydrides including, but notlimited to, maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, acrylic anhydride,methacrylic anhydride, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

Illustrative trihydric alcohols can include, but are not limited to,glycerol, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, triethanolamine,1,2,4-butanetriol, and the like. The one or more trihydric alcohols canbe mixed with other polyhydric alcohols. Other polyhydric alcohols caninclude, but are not limited to, ethylene, glycol, 1,3-propanediol,1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-butene-1, erythritol, pentaerythritol,sorbitol, and the like. The catalyst can include an alkali metal salt ofa phosphorous-containing organic acid; particularly alkali metal saltsof phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, and polyphosphoric acids.Illustrative catalysts can include, but are not limited to, sodium,sodium phosphite, potassium phosphite, disodium pyrophosphate,tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodiumhexametaphosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium polymetaphosphate,potassium polyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodiumtrimetaphosphate, and sodium tetrametaphosphate, or any combinationthereof. Illustrative polyacrylic acid based polymers can be asdiscussed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,026,390.

The binder compositions discussed and described herein can be combinedwith the one or more second binders or adhesives in any desired amountwith respect to one another to produce a binder system. For example, theamount of either the first binder composition or the second bindercomposition in the binder system can be from about 0.1 wt % to about 99wt %, based on the combined solids weight of the first and second bindercompositions. In another example, the binder system can have aconcentration of the first binder composition in an amount from a low ofabout 0.5 wt %, about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %, or about 4 wt% to a high of about 10 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 30 wt %, about 40 wt%, about 50 wt %, about 60 wt %, about 70 wt %, about 80 wt %, or about90 wt %, based on the combined solids weight of the first and secondbinder compositions.

The binder composition can be free or essentially free of formaldehydefor use in the production of the composite lignocellulose products,e.g., wood products such as particleboard and plywood. As used herein,the term “essentially free of formaldehyde” means the binder compositiondoes not include or contain any intentionally added formaldehyde orcompounds that can decompose, react, or otherwise form formaldehyde.Said another way, the term “essentially free of formaldehyde” means thebinder composition does not contain formaldehyde or compounds that canform formaldehyde, but may include formaldehyde present as an impurity.Accordingly, depending on the particular multifunctional aldehyde(s)used to produce the binder compositions discussed and described herein,the binder composition can be referred to as “no added formaldehyde” or“NAF” binder composition.

The binder composition can meet or exceed the formaldehyde emissionstandards required by the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) Phase1 (less than 0.1 parts per million “ppm” formaldehyde forparticleboard), and Phase 2 (less than 0.09 ppm formaldehyde forparticleboard). The binder compositions discussed and described hereincan also meet or exceed the formaldehyde emission standards required bythe Japanese JIS/JAS F*** (does not exceed 0.5 mg/L formaldehyde forparticleboard), Japanese JIS/JAS F**** (does not exceed 0.3 mg/Lformaldehyde for particleboard), European E1, and European E2 standards.

The composite lignocellulose containing products produced with thebinder compositions and/or binder systems discussed and described hereincan exhibit a low level of formaldehyde emission. A suitable test fordetermining formaldehyde emission from a composite wood product thatincludes an at least partially cured binder composition and/or bindersystem can include ASTM D6007-02 and AST E1333-10. For example, thecomposite lignocellulose containing products containing an at leastpartially cured binder composition and/or binder system can exhibit aformaldehyde emission of zero. In another example, the compositelignocellulose containing products containing an at least partiallycured binder composition and/or binder system can exhibit a formaldehydeemission of less than about 1 part per million (“ppm”), less than about0.9 ppm, less than about 0.08 ppm, less than about 0.07 ppm, less thanabout 0.06 ppm, less than about 0.05 ppm, less than about 0.04 ppm, lessthan about 0.03 ppm, less than about 0.02 ppm, less than about 0.01 ppm,or less than about 0.005 ppm.

The method for making the composite lignocellulose containing productscan include a continuous or semi-continuous blending process in whichthe lignocellulose substrates and the other components of the mixture,e.g., the binder composition, can be introduced to a blender at a firstor introduction region, end, area, or other location(s) configured toreceive the components and the mixture can be withdrawn from the blendervia one or more mixture recovery outlets. The blender can be configuredto contain anywhere from a few hundred kilograms to several thousandkilograms. For example, in a single blender anywhere from a low of about500 kg/hr, about 5,000 kg/hr, about 10,000 kg/hr, or about 13,000 kg/hrto a high of about 16,000 kg/hr, about 20,000 kg/hr, about 25,000 kg/hr,or about 30,000 kg/hr of the mixture can be recovered from the blender.As the mixture exits the blender, the mixture can be deposited onto aconveyor belt and can be transported to one or more dryers, moisteningsystems, presses, and/or other processing equipment. For example, in atleast one specific embodiment, a particle board product can be madeblending a first or “face” mixture and a second or “core” mixture in afirst and second blend, respectively. The first blender can produce fromabout 13,600 kg/hr to about 15,900 kg/hr of a “face” mixture and thesecond blender can produce from about 18,100 kg/hr to about 20,400 kg/hrof a “core” mixture. The “face” and “core” mixtures can be used toproduce a particleboard panel or sheet, where the “face” mixture makesup the outer layers of the particleboard and the “core” mixture makes upthe inner or core layer of the particleboard.

Composite products in the shape or form of a panel, sheet, board, or thelike can be in the form of a rectangular prism that includes six outersurfaces, i.e., three pairs of oppositely facing surfaces. The firstpair of oppositely facing surfaces of the composite product can includea first or “top” surface and an opposing second or “bottom” surface. Thesecond and third pairs of oppositely facing surfaces of the compositeproduct can be referred to as the “side surfaces” that have a surfacearea less than the surface area of the first and second surfaces. Assuch, composite products in the shape or form of a panel, sheet, board,or the like can have an average thickness, where the average thicknessis the length or distance between the first and second surfaces.

If the composite product is in the form of a panel, sheet, board, or thelike, the amount or length of time the mixture can be heated can rangefrom a low of about 5 seconds per millimeter (s/mm), about 10 s/mm,about 12 s/mm, or about 15 s/mm to a high of about 17 s/mm, about 19s/mm, about 21 s/mm, about 23 s/mm, about 25 s/mm, about 27 s/mm, about30 s/mm, about 35 s/mm, about 40 s/mm, about 50 s/mm, or about 60 s/mm,where the length refers to the average thickness of the compositeproduct. For example, the mixture can be heated for a time of about 7s/mm to about 27 s/mm, about 9 s/mm to about 24 s/mm, about 11 s/mm toabout 22 s/mm, about 8 s/mm to about 20 s/mm, about 14 s/mm to about 18s/mm, about 6 s/mm to about 14 s/mm, about 10 s/mm to about 18 s/mm, orabout 10 s/mm to about 16 s/mm, where the length refers to the averagethickness of the composite product. In another example, the mixture canbe heated for a time less than 22 s/mm, less than 20 s/mm, less than 18s/mm, less than 17 s/mm, less than 16 s/mm, less than 15 s/mm, less than14 s/mm, less than 13 s/mm, or less than 12 s/mm, where the lengthrefers to the average thickness of the composite product. In onespecific example, a composite product in the form of a panel, sheet,board, or the like and having an average thickness of about 15 mm andsubjected to a total heating time of about 4 minutes would correspond toheating the mixture for about 16 s/mm. In at least one specific example,the mixture can be heated to a temperature of about 160° C. to about170° C. for a time of 13 s/mm to about 19 s/mm.

The composite product can have a density from a low of about 0.5 g/cm³,about 0.55 g/cm³, about 0.6 g/cm³, about 0.63 g/cm³, about 0.65 g/cm³,about 0.67 g/cm³, or about 0.7 g/cm³ to a high of about 0.75 g/cm³,about 0.77 g/cm³, about 0.8 g/cm³, about 0.83 g/cm³, about 0.85 g/cm³,about 0.88 g/cm³, about 0.93 g/cm³, about 0.97 g/cm³, or about 1 g/cm³.For example, the composite product can have a density of about 0.7 g/cm³to about 0.75 g/cm³, about 0.65 g/cm³ to about 0.85 g/cm³, about 0.65g/cm³ to about 0.8 g/cm³, about 0.67 g/cm³ to about 0.77 g/cm³, about0.5 g/cm³, to about 1 g/cm³, about 0.5 g/cm³, to about 0.8 g/cm³, about0.5 g/cm³ to about 0.75 g/cm³, or about 0.64 g/cm³ to about 0.8 g/cm³.In one or more embodiments, the composite product can have density lessthan 1 g/cm³, less than 0.95 g/cm³, less than 0.88 g/cm³, less than 0.85g/cm³, less than 0.83 g/cm³, less than 0.8 g/cm³, less than 0.79 g/cm³,less than 0.78 g/cm³, less than 0.77 g/cm³, less than 0.76 g/cm³, lessthan 0.75 g/cm³, less than 0.74 g/cm³, or less than 0.73 g/cm³.

The composite product can have an internal bond strength from a low ofabout 0.3 MPa, about 0.32 MPa, about 0.34 MPa, about 0.35 MPa, about0.37 MPa, about 0.4 MPa, about 0.42 MPa, about 0.48 MPa, about 0.52 MPa,about 0.55 MPa, or about 0.58 MPa to a high of about 0.69 MPa, about0.75 MPa, about 0.83 MPa, about 0.9 MPa, about 0.97 MPa, about 1.05 MPa,about 1.15 MPa, about 1.2 MPa, about 1.25 MPa, about 1.3 MPa, about 1.35MPa, about 1.4 MPa, about 1.45 MPa, about 1.5 MPa, about 1.55 MPa, about1.6 MPa, or about 1.7 MPa. For example, the composite product can havean internal bond strength of about 0.35 MPa to about 0.55 MPa, about 0.4MPa to about 0.6 MPa, about 0.48 MPa to about 0.69 MPa, about 0.59 MPato about 0.86 MPa, about 0.55 MPa to about 0.9 MPa, or about 0.51 MPa toabout 0.85 MPa. In one or more embodiments, the composite product canhave an internal bond strength of at least 0.33 MPa, at least 0.32 MPa,at least 0.34 MPa, at least 0.38 MPa, at least 0.41 MPa, at least 0.45MPa, at least 0.48 MPa, at least 0.51 MPa, at least 0.55 MPa, at least0.58 MPa, at least 0.62 MPa, at least 0.66 MPa, at least 0.69 MPa, atleast 0.72 MPa, at least 0.76 MPa, or at least 0.79 MPa. The internalbond strength can be determined according to the test procedure providedfor in ASTM D1037-06a.

In one or more embodiments, the composite product can have a densityless than 1 g/cm³, less than 0.95 g/cm³, less than 0.9 g/cm³, less than0.85 g/cm³, less than 0.8 g/cm³, less than 0.79 g/cm³, less than 0.78g/cm³, less than 0.77 g/cm³, less than 0.76 g/cm³, less than 0.75 g/cm³,less than 0.74 g/cm³, or less than 0.73 g/cm³ and an internal bondstrength of at least 0.3 MPa, at least 0.35 MPa, at least 0.4 MPa, atleast 0.48 MPa, at least 0.51 MPa, at least 0.55 MPa, at least 0.58 MPa,at least 0.62 MPa, at least 0.65 MPa, or at least 0.69 MPa. In at leastone specific example, the composite product can have a density less than0.8 g/cm³ and internal bond strength of at least 0.48 MPa. In at leastone other specific example, the composite product can have a densityless than 0.8 g/cm³ and internal bond strength of at least 0.69 MPa. Inat least one other specific example, the composite product can have adensity of less than 0.73 g/cm³ and internal bond strength of at least0.48 MPa. In still another example, the composite product can have adensity of less than 0.73 g/cm³ and internal bond strength of at least0.58 MPa.

Referring to particleboard in particular, particleboard made accordingto one or more embodiments discussed and described herein can meet orexceed the requirements for H-1, H-2, H-3, M-0, M-1, M-S, M-2, M-3i,LD-1, and/or LD-2 grade particleboard as described in the AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) for particleboard, i.e., ANSIA208.1-2009 Particleboard, approved Feb. 2, 2009. Particleboard madeaccording to one or more embodiments discussed and described herein canmeet or exceed the requirements for PBU, D-2, D-3, and/or M-3 as definedby the ANSI for particleboard, i.e., ANSI A208.1-2009 Particleboard,approved Feb. 2, 2009. For example, Tables A and B set out certainrequirements for the different grades of particleboard. Referring tooriented strand board (OSB) in particular, OSB made according to one ormore embodiments discussed and described herein can meet or exceed theU.S. Department of Commerce Voluntary Performance Standard PS 2.Referring to plywood in particular, plywood made according to one ormore embodiments discussed and described herein can meet or exceed theU.S. Department of Commerce Voluntary Performance Standard PS 1 and/orPS-2.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to any one or moreof the following paragraphs:

1. A binder composition, comprising: an unsaturated monomer; and atleast one of: a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid.

2. A method for preparing a composite product, comprising: contacting aplurality of lignocellulose substrates with a binder composition,wherein the binder composition comprises: an unsaturated monomer; and atleast one of: a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid; and at least partiallycuring the binder composition to produce a compositelignocellulose-containing product.

3. A composite product, comprising: a plurality of lignocellulosesubstrates and an at least partially cured binder composition, whereinthe binder composition, prior to at least partially curing, comprises:an unsaturated monomer; at least one of: a lignin, a tannin, a novolacresin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humicacid.

4. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product according toany one of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein prior to at least partially curingthe binder composition the unsaturated monomer and the at least one ofthe lignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, and humic acid are at least partially reacted with oneanother.

5. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 1 to 4, wherein an amount of the binder composition contactedwith the lignocellulose substrates ranges from about 3 wt % to about 20wt %, based on a dry weight of the lignocellulose substrates.

6. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 1 to 5, wherein the lignocellulose substrates are at leastpartially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant prior to contactingwith the binder composition.

7. The method and/or composite product according to paragraph 6, whereinthe oxidant comprises one or more inorganic peroxy compounds, one ormore organic peroxy compounds, or a combination thereof.

8. The method and/or composite product according to paragraph 6 or 7,wherein the oxidant is hydrogen peroxide.

9. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 6 to 8, wherein the oxidant is present in an amount fromabout 20 wt % to about 100 wt %, based on a dry weight of thelignocellulose substrates.

10. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 1 to 9, wherein the lignocellulose substrates are at leastpartially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant and a catalyst.

11. The method and/or composite product according to paragraph 10,wherein the catalyst comprises one or more metal ions of iron, copper,manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, or any combination thereof; one or moretertiary amines; or a combination thereof.

12. The method and/or composite product according to paragraph 10 or 11,wherein the catalyst comprises a metal ion, a tertiary amine, aphosphate, a bisulfite, a metabisulfite, hydroxymethanesulfonic acidmonosodium salt, a metal salt, tetraacetylethylenediamine, cyanamide, orany combination thereof.

13. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 1 to 12, wherein the lignocellulose substrates are at leastpartially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant after contacting withthe binder composition.

14. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 1 to 13, wherein at least partially curing the bindercomposition comprises heating the lignocellulose substrates contactedwith the binder composition to a temperature from about 100° C. to about250° C.; and pressing the lignocellulose substrates to a pressure fromabout 1 MPa to about 6 MPa.

15. The method and/or composite product according to any one ofparagraphs 1 to 14, wherein the composite lignocellulose-containingproduct comprises a particleboard, a fiberboard, a plywood, an orientedstrand board, a laminated veneer lumber, or a laminated veneer board.

16. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 15, wherein the unsaturated monomer isnonionic.

17. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether, an unsaturated glycidyl ester,an unsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturated methylol compound, maleicanhydride, or any combination thereof.

18. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 17, wherein the unsaturated monomer andthe at least one of the lignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid are at least partiallyreacted with one another.

19. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 18, wherein the unsaturated monomer andthe at least one of the lignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid are at least partiallyreacted with one another at a temperature from about 25° C. to about100° C. and a pressure from about 50 kPa to about 1,000 kPa.

20. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 19, wherein the at least one of thelignin, tannin, novolac resin, modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, and humic acid is combined with a liquid medium.

21. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 20, wherein the liquid medium compriseswater.

22. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto paragraph 21, wherein the binder composition has a waterconcentration from about 40 wt % to about 70 wt %, based on a solidsweight of the at least one of the lignin, tannin, novolac resin,modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid.

23. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 22, wherein the binder composition has aviscosity from about 100 cP to about 10,000 cP at a temperature of 25°C.

24. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 23, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether.

25. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto paragraph 24, wherein the unsaturated glycidyl ether comprises vinylglycidyl ether, isopropenyl glycidyl ether, oleyl glycidyl ether, allylglycidyl ether, p-vinylbenzyl glycidyl ether, o-allyl phenyl glycidylether, butenyl glycidyl ether, 4-vinylcyclohexyl glycidyl ether,abietylglycidyl ether, cyclohexeneylmethyl glycidyl ether, methallylglycidyl ether, or any combination thereof.

26. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 25, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ester.

27. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto paragraph 26, wherein the unsaturated glycidyl ester comprisesglycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl crotonate, glycidyloleate, di-glycidyl maleate, di-glycidyl fumarate, or any combinationthereof.

28. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 27, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated mono-epoxide.

29. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto paragraphs 28, wherein the unsaturated mono-epoxide comprises 4-vinylcyclohexene oxide, 1-methyl-4-isopropenyl cyclohexene monoxide,butadiene monoxide, or any combination thereof.

30. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 29, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated methylol compound.

31. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto paragraph 30, wherein the unsaturated methylol compound comprisesN-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, N-methylolcrotonamide, or any combination thereof.

32. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 31, wherein the tannin is present, andwherein the tannin is extracted from one or more trees belonging to thegenera selected from the group consisting of: Castanea sativa,Terminalia, Phyllantus, Caesalpina coriaria, Caesalpinia spinosa, Acaciamearnsii, Schinopsis, Tsuga, Rhus, Juglans, Carya illinoinensis,Juglans, Carya illinoinensis, and Pinus.

33. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 32, wherein the lignin is present, andwherein the lignin is extracted from one or more trees selected from thegroup consisting of: alder, ash, aspen, basswood, beech, birch, cedar,cherry, cottonwood, cypress, elm, fir, gum, hackberry, hickory, maple,oak, pecan, pine, poplar, redwood, sassafras, spruce, sycamore, walnut,and willow.

34. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 33, wherein the binder composition isessentially free of formaldehyde.

35. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 34, wherein the binder composition is freeof formaldehyde.

36. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 35, wherein the unsaturated monomer ispresent in an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt %, based on thetotal solids weight of the at least one of the lignin, tannin, novolacresin, modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid.

37. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 36, wherein the lignin and tannin arepresent and the binder composition is free from the novolac resin.

38. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 37, wherein the binder composition furthercomprises an aldehyde based resin; a mixture of Maillard reactants; areaction product of Maillard reactants; a copolymer of one or more vinylaromatic derived units and at least one of maleic anhydride and maleicacid; a polyamide-epichlorhydrin polymer; an adduct or polymer ofstyrene, at least one of maleic anhydride and maleic acid, and at leastone of an acrylic acid and an acrylate; a polyacrylic acid based binder;polyvinyl acetate; polymeric methylene diisocyanate; polyfurfurylalcohol; or any combination thereof.

39. A composite product, comprising: an at least partially curedcomposition having a density less than 1 g/cm³ and an internal bondstrength of at least 0.35 MPa, wherein the composition, prior to curing,comprises a plurality of lignocellulose substrates, an unsaturatedmonomer and at least one of: a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, amodified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humic acid.

40. A composite product comprising a mixture that has been heated to atemperature from about 60° C. to about 300° C., wherein the mixture,prior to being heated, comprises a plurality of lignocellulosesubstrates, an unsaturated monomer and at least one of: a lignin, atannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, and humic acid, and wherein the heated mixture has aninternal bond strength of at least 0.35 MPa and a density less than 1g/cm³.

41. A composite product, comprising: an at least partially curedcomposition, wherein the at least partially composition, prior tocuring, comprises a plurality of lignocellulose substrates, anunsaturated monomer and at least one of: a lignin, a tannin, a novolacresin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, and humicacid.

42. A composite product comprising a mixture that has been heated to atemperature from about 60° C. to about 300° C., and wherein prior toheating the mixture comprises a plurality of lignocellulose substrates,an unsaturated monomer and at least one of: a lignin, a tannin, anovolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, andhumic acid.

43. The composite product according to paragraph 42, wherein theunsaturated monomer is reacted with the at least one of the lignin, thetannin, the novolac resin, the modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, and humic acid.

44. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 1 to 38, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises maleic anhydride.

45. A binder composition, comprising: at least one unsaturated monomer;and at least one polyphenolic compound comprising a lignin, a tannin, anovolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humicacid, or any mixture thereof.

46. A method for preparing a composite product, comprising: contacting aplurality of lignocellulose substrates with a binder composition,wherein the binder composition comprises: at least one unsaturatedmonomer; and at least one polyphenolic compound comprising a lignin, atannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any mixture thereof; and at least partiallycuring the binder composition to produce a compositelignocellulose-containing product.

47. A composite product, comprising: a plurality of lignocellulosesubstrates and an at least partially cured binder composition, whereinthe binder composition, prior to at least partially curing, comprises:at least one unsaturated monomer; and at least one polyphenolic compoundcomprising a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenolformaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any mixture thereof.

48. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 47, wherein the unsaturated monomer isnonionic.

49. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 48, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether, an unsaturated glycidyl ester,an unsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturated methylol compound, maleicanhydride, or any mixture thereof.

50. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 49, wherein the unsaturated monomer andthe polyphenolic compound are at least partially reacted with oneanother.

51. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 50, wherein the unsaturated monomer doesnot contain an aromatic ring.

52. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 51, wherein the binder compositionfurther comprises water in an amount of about 40 wt % to about 70 wt %,based on a solids weight of the polyphenolic compound, and wherein thebinder composition comprises the unsaturated monomer in an amount ofabout 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %, based on the solids weight of thepolyphenolic compound.

53. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 52, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether, and wherein the unsaturatedglycidyl ether comprises vinyl glycidyl ether, isopropenyl glycidylether, oleyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, p-vinylbenzylglycidyl ether, o-allyl phenyl glycidyl ether, butenyl glycidyl ether,4-vinylcyclohexyl glycidyl ether, abietylglycidyl ether,cyclohexeneylmethyl glycidyl ether, methallyl glycidyl ether, or anymixture thereof.

54. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 53, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ester, and wherein the unsaturatedglycidyl ester comprises glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate,glycidyl crotonate, glycidyl oleate, di-glycidyl maleate, di-glycidylfumarate, or any mixture thereof.

55. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 54, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated mono-epoxide, and wherein the unsaturatedmono-epoxide comprises 4-vinyl cyclohexene oxide, 1-methyl-4-isopropenylcyclohexene monoxide, butadiene monoxide, or any mixture thereof.

56. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 55, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated methylol compound, and wherein the unsaturatedmethylol compound comprises N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide, N-methylol crotonamide, or any mixture thereof.

57. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 56, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises maleic anhydride.

58. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 57, wherein the polyphenolic compoundcomprises the tannin, and wherein the tannin is extracted from one ormore trees belonging to the genera selected from the group consistingof: Castanea sativa, Terminalia, Phyllantus, Caesalpina coriaria,Caesalpinia spinosa, Acacia mearnsii, Schinopsis, Tsuga, Rhus, Juglans,Carya illinoinensis, Juglans, Carya illinoinensis, and Pinus.

59. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 58, wherein the polyphenolic compoundcomprises the lignin, and wherein the lignin is extracted from one ormore trees selected from the group consisting of: alder, ash, aspen,basswood, beech, birch, cedar, cherry, cottonwood, cypress, elm, fir,gum, hackberry, hickory, maple, oak, pecan, pine, poplar, redwood,sassafras, spruce, sycamore, walnut, and willow.

60. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 59, wherein the polyphenolic compoundcomprises the lignin, the tannin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, or anymixture thereof, and wherein the binder composition is free offormaldehyde.

61. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 60, wherein the binder compositionfurther comprises an aldehyde based resin; a mixture of Maillardreactants; a reaction product of Maillard reactants; a copolymer of oneor more vinyl aromatic derived units and at least one of maleicanhydride and maleic acid; a polyamide-epichlorhydrin polymer; an adductor polymer of styrene, at least one of maleic anhydride and maleic acid,and at least one of an acrylic acid and an acrylate; a polyacrylic acidbased binder; polyvinyl acetate; polymeric methylene diisocyanate;polyfurfuryl alcohol; or any combination thereof

62. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 61, wherein anamount of the binder composition contacted with the lignocellulosesubstrates ranges from about 3 wt % to about 20 wt %, based on a dryweight of the lignocellulose substrates.

63. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 62, wherein thelignocellulose substrates are at least partially oxidized in thepresence of an oxidant prior to contacting with the binder composition.

64. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 63, wherein theoxidant comprises one or more inorganic peroxy compounds, one or moreorganic peroxy compounds, or a combination thereof.

65. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 64, wherein theoxidant is hydrogen peroxide.

66. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 64, wherein thebinder composition further comprises water in an amount of about 40 wt %to about 70 wt %, based on a solids weight of the polyphenolic compound,wherein the binder composition comprises the unsaturated monomer in anamount of about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %, based on the solids weight ofthe polyphenolic compound, and wherein the oxidant is present in anamount from about 20 wt % to about 100 wt %, based on a dry weight ofthe lignocellulose substrates.

67. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 66, wherein thelignocellulose substrates are at least partially oxidized in thepresence of an oxidant and a catalyst.

68. The method according to paragraph 67, wherein the catalyst comprisesone or more metal ions of iron, copper, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum,or any combination thereof; one or more tertiary amines; or acombination thereof.

69. The method according to paragraph 67, wherein the catalyst comprisesa metal ion, a tertiary amine, a phosphate, a bisulfite, ametabisulfite, hydroxymethanesulfonic acid monosodium salt, a metalsalt, tetraacetylethylenediamine, cyanamide, or any combination thereof.

70. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 69, wherein thelignocellulose substrates are at least partially oxidized in thepresence of an oxidant after contacting with the binder composition.

71. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 70, wherein atleast partially curing the binder composition comprises heating thelignocellulose substrates contacted with the binder composition to atemperature from about 100° C. to about 250° C.; and pressing thelignocellulose substrates to a pressure from about 1 MPa to about 6 MPa.

72. The method according to any one of paragraphs 46 to 71, wherein thecomposite lignocellulose-containing product comprises a particleboard, afiberboard, a plywood, an oriented strand board, a laminated veneerlumber, or a laminated veneer board.

73. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 72, wherein the binder compositionfurther comprises water in an amount from a low of about 1 wt %, about 5wt %, about 10 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 25 wt %, about30 wt %, about 35 wt %, or about 40 wt % to a high of about 50 wt %,about 55 wt %, about 60 wt %, about 65 wt %, or about 70 wt %, based ona solids weight of the polyphenolic compound, and wherein the bindercomposition comprises the unsaturated monomer in an amount from a low ofabout 0.1 wt %, about 1 wt %, about 3 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 7 wt %,about 10 wt %, about 12 wt %, or about 15 wt % to a high of about 25 wt%, about 30 wt %, about 35 wt %, about 40 wt %, about 45 wt %, or about50 wt %, based on the solids weight of the polyphenolic compound.

74. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 73, wherein the unsaturated monomer andthe polyphenolic compound are at least partially reacted with oneanother, and wherein the binder composition comprises at least twounsaturated monomers.

75. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 74, wherein the unsaturated monomer andthe polyphenolic compound are at least partially reacted with oneanother, wherein the binder composition comprises at least twounsaturated monomers, and wherein the at least two unsaturated monomerscomprise an unsaturated glycidyl ether and an unsaturated glycidylester, an unsaturated glycidyl ether and an unsaturated mono-epoxide, anunsaturated glycidyl ether and an unsaturated methylol compound, anunsaturated glycidyl ether and maleic anhydride, an unsaturated glycidylester and an unsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturated glycidyl ester andan unsaturated methylol compound, an unsaturated glycidyl ester andmaleic anhydride, an unsaturated mono-epoxide and an unsaturatedmethylol compound, or an unsaturated glycidyl ester and maleicanhydride.

76. The binder composition, method, and/or composite product accordingto any one of paragraphs 45 to 75, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether, an unsaturated glycidyl ester,an unsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturated methylol compound, or anymixture thereof.

Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set ofnumerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should beappreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values,e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, thecombination of any two lower values, and/or the combination of any twoupper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lowerlimits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below. Allnumerical values are “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, andtake into account experimental error and variations that would beexpected by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in aclaim is not defined above, it should be given the broadest definitionpersons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in atleast one printed publication or issued patent. Furthermore, allpatents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this applicationare fully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is notinconsistent with this application and for all jurisdictions in whichsuch incorporation is permitted.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A binder composition, comprising: a reactionproduct of an unsaturated monomer and at least two polyphenoliccompounds, wherein: each polyphenolic compound comprises a tannin, alignin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin,bis-phenol A, or humic acid, and the unsaturated monomer comprises anunsaturated glycidyl ether, an unsaturated glycidyl ester, anunsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturated methylol compound, maleicanhydride, or a mixture thereof.
 2. The binder composition 1, whereinthe unsaturated monomer comprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether.
 3. Thebinder composition of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated monomer comprisesan unsaturated glycidyl ester.
 4. The binder composition of claim 1,wherein the unsaturated monomer comprises an unsaturated mono-epoxide.5. The binder composition of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated monomercomprises an unsaturated methylol compound.
 6. The binder composition ofclaim 1, wherein the unsaturated monomer comprises maleic anhydride. 7.The binder composition of claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of theunsaturated monomer to the at least two polyphenolic compounds, on asolids basis, is about 0.1:100 to about 1:2.
 8. The binder compositionof claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of the unsaturated monomer to the atleast two polyphenolic compounds, on a solids basis, is about 0.1:100 toabout 1:7.
 9. The binder composition of claim 1, wherein eachpolyphenolic compound comprises a lignin, a novolac resin, a modifiedphenol formaldehyde resin, or bis-phenol A, and wherein the unsaturatedmonomer comprises an unsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturated methylolcompound, or a mixture thereof.
 10. The binder composition of claim 1,wherein the binder composition comprises about 0.05 wt % to about 50 wt% of the unsaturated monomer, based on a solids weight of the at leasttwo polyphenolic compounds.
 11. The binder composition of claim 1,wherein the binder composition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 15 wt %of the unsaturated monomer, based on a solids weight of the at least twopolyphenolic compounds.
 12. The binder composition of claim 1, whereinat least one of the polyphenolic compounds comprises a lignin, a novolacresin, or bis-phenol A.
 13. The binder composition of claim 1, furthercomprising about 1 wt % to about 80 wt % of water, based on a solidsweight of the at least two polyphenolic compounds.
 14. A bindercomposition, comprising water and a reaction product of an unsaturatedmonomer and at least two polyphenolic compounds, wherein: eachpolyphenolic compound comprises a tannin, a lignin, a novolac resin, amodified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, or humic acid, theunsaturated monomer comprises an unsaturated glycidyl ether, anunsaturated glycidyl ester, an unsaturated mono-epoxide, an unsaturatedmethylol compound, maleic anhydride, or a mixture thereof, and thebinder composition comprises about 0.05 wt % to about 50 wt % of theunsaturated monomer and about 1 wt % to about 80 wt % of the water,based on a solids weight of the at least two polyphenolic compounds. 15.The binder composition of claim 14, wherein at least one of thepolyphenolic compounds comprises a lignin, a novolac resin, orbis-phenol A.
 16. The binder composition of claim 14, wherein the bindercomposition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 15 wt % of the unsaturatedmonomer and about 40 wt % to about 70 wt % of the water, based on thesolids weight of the at least two polyphenolic compounds.
 17. Acomposite product, comprising: a plurality of lignocellulose substratesand an at least partially cured binder composition, wherein the bindercomposition, prior to curing, comprises: a reaction product of anunsaturated monomer and at least two polyphenolic compounds, wherein:each polyphenolic compound comprises a tannin, a lignin, a novolacresin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, or humicacid, and the unsaturated monomer comprises an unsaturated glycidylether, an unsaturated glycidyl ester, an unsaturated mono-epoxide, anunsaturated methylol compound, maleic anhydride, or a mixture thereof.18. The composite product of claim 17, wherein the binder composition,prior to curing, comprises about 0.05 wt % to about 50 wt % of theunsaturated monomer, based on a solids weight of the at least twopolyphenolic compounds.
 19. The composite product of claim 17, whereinthe binder composition, prior to curing, further comprises water, andwherein the binder composition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 15 wt %of the unsaturated monomer and about 40 wt % to about 70 wt % of thewater, based on a solids weight of the at least two polyphenoliccompounds
 20. The composite product of claim 17, wherein the compositeproduct is a particleboard, a fiberboard, a plywood, an oriented strandboard, or a laminated veneer board.